Current Research

My research focuses on natural and human factors affecting biological diversity in a variety of terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic ecosystems in California, with particular emphasis on conservation challenges in the Lake Tahoe basin. I am currently the lead scientist on three studies that evaluate the effects of human factors on population and community processes shaping biological diversity. First, I am the lead scientist investigating patch and landscape-scale disturbance and fragmentation effects on species occurrence and abundance, population structure, and species composition of birds, mammals, and vascular plants. One product of the study will be a landscape-scale predictive model to inform the acquisition and management of undeveloped lands (urban lots) in the Lake Tahoe basin study area. Second, I am studying the effects of off-highway vehicles on vertebrate assemblages and their habitats, the results of which will inform the management of OHV use areas throughout California. Finally, I am investigating spatial and temporal effects of habitat degradation in lentic ecosystems (lakes, ponds, and wet meadows) on associated amphibian and reptile species. Completed research projects include my dissertation research, which investigated patterns of biological diversity (vertebrates, invertebrates, vascular plants, and fungi) in stream-side riparian ecosystems in the Lake Tahoe basn. I have also studied bird assemblages in oak woodlands, including inquiries into the foraging ecology of insectivorous birds, and the effects of tree density on species composition, abundance, and nest success. The results of this research were used to inform harvest regulations for oak woodlands in California. In addition to my core research program, I have a strong interest in the design and analysis of landscape-scale ecosystem monitoring. I led the design of the Sierra Nevada monitoring strategy, which encompassed a wide variety of biological and physical features: 1) populations and habitats of species of concern; 2) terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem conditions; and 3) sociocultural phenomena as integrated components of ecosystems. I am currently co-leading the development and testing of a national protocol for monitoring multiple species and their habitats (Multiple-Species Inventory and Monitoring protocol) as a tool to meet National Forest obligations to monitor Management Indicator Species.

Education

• University of California, Ph.D. Wildland Resource Science 2000
• Humboldt State University, M.S. Natural Resource Management 1988
• Humboldt State University, B.S. Wildlife Management 1983

Publications

• Tarbill, Gina L.; White, Angela M.; Manley, Patricia N. 2018. The persistence of Black-backed Woodpeckers following delayed salvage logging in the Sierra Nevada.
• Stine, Peter; Manley, Patricia N. 2017. Introduction.
• Peery, M. Zachariah; Gutiérrez, R.J.; Manley, Patricia N.; Stine, Peter; North, Malcolm P. 2017. Synthesis and interpretation of California spotted owl research within the context of public forest management.
• Gutiérrez, R.J.; Manley, Patricia N.; Stine, Peter A. 2017. The California spotted owl: current state of knowledge.
• White, Angela; Manley, Patricia; Tarbill, Gina; Richardson, T. W.; Russell, R. E.; Safford, H. D.; Dobrowski, S. Z. 2016. Avian community responses to post-fire forest structure: implications for fire management in mixed conifer forests.
• Frare, Christina F.; Matocq, Marjorie D.; Feldman, Chris R.; White, Angela M.; Manley, Patricia N.; Jermstad, Kathleen D.; Hekkala, Evon R. 2016. Landscape disturbance and sporadic hybridization complicate field identification of chipmunks.
• Sollmann, R.; White, Angela; Tarbill, Gina; Manley, Patricia; Knapp, Eric E. 2016. Landscape heterogeneity compensates for fuel reduction treatment effects on Northern flying squirrel populations.
• Tarbill, Gina L.; Manley, Patricia N.; White, Angela M. 2015. Drill, baby, drill: the influence of woodpeckers on post-fire vertebrate communities through cavity excavation.
• Sollmann, Rahel; White, Angela M.; Gardner, Beth; Manley, Patricia N. 2015. Investigating the effects of forest structure on the small mammal community in frequent-fire coniferous forests using capture-recapture models for stratified populations.
• White, Angela M.; Zipkin, Elise F.; Manley, Patricia N.; Schlesinger, Matthew D. 2013. Conservation of avian diversity in the Sierra Nevada: Moving beyond a single-species management focus.
• Manley, Patricia; Mortenson, Leif; Halperin, James; Turner, Rick. 2013. Degradation activities, drivers, and emissions: US Forest Service LEAF Country Assessments.
• Turner, Rick; Halperin, James; Manley, Patricia; Mortenson, Leif. 2013. Forest degradation sub-national assessments: Monitoring options for Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.
• Mortenson, Leif A.; Halperin, James J.; Manley, Patricia N.; Turner, Rich L. 2013. Literature cited (PSW-GTR-246).
• Manley, Patricia N.; Mortenson, Leif; Halperin, James J.; Quyen, Nguyen Hanh. 2013. Options for monitoring forest degradation in Northern Viet Nam: An assessment in systems design and capacity building needs in Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province.
• Manley, Patricia. 2013. Section summary: Institutional context, drivers and detectability in REDD+ implementation.
• White, Angela M.; Zipkin, Elise F.; Manley, Patricia N.; Schlesinger, Matthew D. 2013. Simulating avian species and foraging group responses to fuel reduction treatments in coniferous forests.
• Manley, Patricia. 2013. Summary of small group discussions: Detection of forest degradation drivers.
• Manley, Patricia. 2013. Summary of small group discussions: Monitoring objectives and thresholds.
• North, M; Manley, P. 2012. Chapter 6: Managing forests for wildlife communities.
• Manley, Patricia N.; Murphy, Dennis D.; Bigelow, Seth; Chandra, Sudeep. 2010. Chapter 6: Ecology and Biodiversity.
• Murphy, Dennis D.; Manley, Patricia N. 2009. A report from Lake Tahoe: Observation from an ideal platform for adaptive management.
• Sanford, M.P.; Manley, Patricia N.; Murphy, Dennis D. 2009. Effects of urban development on ant communities: implications for ecosystem services and management.
• Manley, P.N.; Parks, S.A.; Campbell, Lori; Schlesinger, M.D. 2009. Modeling urban land development as a continuum to address fine-grained habitat heterogeneity.
• Manley, Patricia N.; McIntyre, Kristian K.; Schlesinger, Matthew D.; Campbell, Lori A.; Merideth, Susan; Murphy, Dennis D. 2009. Use of forest inventory and analysis grid-based animal population data to develop an index of ecological diversity.
• Schlesinger, Matthew D.; Manley, Patricia N.; Holyoak, Marcel. 2008. Distinguishing stressors acting on landbird communities in an urbanizing environment.
• Heckmann, K. E.; Manley, P.N.; Schlesinger, M.D. 2008. Ecological integrity of remnant montane forests along an urban gradient in the Sierra Nevada.
• Manley, P. N.; Hayes, D. C. 2006. Biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program: Past contributions and future directions.
• Manley, Patricia N.; Murphy, Dennis D.; Campbell, Lori A.; Heckmann, Kirsten E.; Merideth, Susan; Parks, Sean A.; Sanford, Monte P.; Schlesinger, Matthew D. 2006. Biotic diversity interfaces with urbanization in the Lake Tahoe basin.
• Vesely, David; McComb, Brenda C.; Vojta, Christina D.; Suring, Lowell H.; Halaj, Jurai; Holthausen, Richard S.; Zuckerberg, Benjamin; Manley, Patricia M. 2006. Development of protocols to inventory or monitor wildlife, fish, or rare plants.
• Manley, P.N.; Van Horne, B.; Roth, J.K.; Zielinski, W.J.; McKenzie, M.M.; Weller, T.J.; Weckerly, F.W.; Vojta, C. 2006. Multiple species inventory and monitoring technical guide.
• Manley, P. N.; Van Horne, B. 2006. The Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Protocol: A Population, Community, and Biodiversity Monitoring Solution for National Forest System Lands.
• Holthausen, Richard; Czaplewski, Raymond L., Ph.D..; DeLorenzo, Don; Hayward, Greg; Kessler, Winifred B.; Manley, Pat; McKelvey, Kevin S.; Powell, Douglas S.; Ruggiero, Leonard F.; Schwartz, Michael K.; Van Horne, Bea; Vojta, Christina D. 2005. Strategies for monitoring terrestrial animals and habitats.
• Manley, Patricia N.; Zielinski, William J.; Schlesinger, Matthew D.; Mori, Sylvia R. 2004. Evaluation of a multiple-species approach to monitoring species at the ecoregional scale.
• Manley, Patricia N. 2004. The future of biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada through the Lake Tahoe Basin Looking Glass.
• Manley, P.N.; Zielinski, William J.; Stuart, C.M.; Keane, J.J.; Lind, A.J.; Brown, C.; Plymale, B.L.; Napper, C.O. 2000. Monitoring ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada: the conceptual model foundation.
• Manley, P.; Lind, A.J. 1998. Development of an ecosystem monitoring plan for the Sierra Neveda.
• Manley, Patricia. 1993. USDA Forest Service goals and programs for monitoring neotropical migratory birds.
• Wilson, Randolph A.; Manley, Patricia; Noon, Barry R. 1991. Covariance patterns among birds and vegetation in a California oak woodland.