Current Research

• Crowd-sourcing techniques to amass large data sets for use in multi-scale applications such as NorWeST
• Spatial database management for research on climate change effects on stream temperature dynamics
• Establishment of stream temperature monitoring networks and methods to quantify long-term temperature trends and increase efficiency of data collection
• Application of eDNA techniques to determine rangewide bull trout distribution
• Technology transfer of applied science tools and procedures

Isaak, Daniel J.; Wenger, Seth J.; Peterson, Erin E.; Ver Hoef, Jay M.; Nagel, David E.; Luce, Charles H.; Hostetler, Steven W.; Dunham, Jason B.; Roper, Brett B.; Wollrab, Sherry P.; Chandler, Gwynne L.; Horan, Dona L.; Parkes-Payne, Sharon. 2017. The NorWeST summer stream temperature model and scenarios for the western U.S.: A crowd-sourced database and new geospatial tools foster a user community and predict broad climate warming of rivers and streams. Water Resources Research. 53: 9181-9205. Isaak, Daniel J.; Horan, Dona L.; Wollrab, Sherry P. 2013. A simple protocol using underwater epoxy to install annual temperature monitoring sites in rivers and streams. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-314. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 21 p. Isaak, D. J.; Wollrab, S.; Horan, D.; Chandler, G. 2011. Climate change effects on stream and river temperatures across the northwest U.S. from 1980-2009 and implications for salmonid fishes. Climatic Change. 113: 499-524.

Research Interests

I am interested in using data to influence management decisions so that stream habitats are conserved in the face of climate change using the most cost-effective and biologically relevant approaches. I enjoy collaborating and coordinating with resource managers and scientists to create data and information sharing opportunities for the benefit of research and land management. I also find disturbance ecology fascinating, especially the short and long-term effects of wildfire on stream habitat and aquatic communities.

Past Research

Fish habitat inventory procedures and database development, wildfire and prescribed burn effects on large woody debris and other habitat characteristics, and implications of using various fuel reduction practices in riparian areas.

 

Why This Research is Important

In most aspects of fish and fish habitat research, we are not data poor, but rather, lacking in data organization and coordination. Given 1. There are huge quantities of historical data in addition to continuing data collection, 2. The massive expenditures associated with such data collection, and 3. The vital importance of long-term, and spatially explicit and extensive data sets, it only makes sense to tap these data to address time-sensitive conservation questions that require large long-term and reliable data sets.

Education

• University of Idaho, Master Of Natural Resources Natural Resources 2001
• University of New Hampshire, B.S. Wildlife Management 1988

Professional Organizations

• American Fisheries Society

Awards & Recognition

Featured Publications & Products

• Isaak, Daniel J.; Wenger, Seth J.; Peterson, Erin E.; Ver Hoef, Jay M.; Nagel, David E.; Luce, Charles H.; Hostetler, Steven W.; Dunham, Jason B.; Roper, Brett B.; Wollrab, Sherry P.; Chandler, Gwynne L.; Horan, Dona L.; Parkes-Payne, Sharon. 2017. The NorWeST summer stream temperature model and scenarios for the western U.S.: A crowd-sourced database and new geospatial tools foster a user community and predict broad climate warming of rivers and streams.
• Isaak, Daniel J.; Horan, Dona L.; Wollrab, Sherry P. 2013. A simple protocol using underwater epoxy to install annual temperature monitoring sites in rivers and streams.
• Isaak, D. J.; Wollrab, S.; Horan, D.; Chandler, G. 2011. Climate change effects on stream and river temperatures across the northwest U.S. from 1980-2009 and implications for salmonid fishes.
• Stone, Katharine R.; Pilliod, David S.; Dwire, Kathleen A.; Rhoades, Charles C.; Wollrab, Sherry P.; Young, Michael K. 2010. Fuel reduction management practices in riparian areas of the western USA.
• Peterson, James T.; Wollrab, Sherry P. 1999. An analysis of potential stream fish and fish habitat monitoring procedures for the Inland Northwest: Annual Report 1999.
• Wollrab, Sherry P. 1999. User's guide to FBASE: Relational database software for managing R1/R4 (Northern/Intermountain Regions) fish habitat inventory data.
• Overton, C. Kerry; Wollrab, Sherry P.; Roberts, Bruce C.; Radko, Michael A. 1997. R1/R4 (Northern/Intermountain Regions) fish and fish habitat standard inventory procedures handbook.

Publications

• Isaak, Daniel J.; Luce, Charles H.; Horan, Dona L.; Chandler, Gwynne; Wollrab, Sherry; Nagel, David E. 2018. Global warming of salmon and trout rivers in the northwestern U.S.: Road to ruin or path through purgatory.
• Isaak, Daniel J.; Luce, Charles H.; Chandler, Gwynne L.; Horan, Dona L.; Wollrab, Sherry P. 2018. Principal components of thermal regimes in mountain river networks.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
RMRS-2018-75	Monitoring the impact of changing climate on western rivers and cold water species While coldwater fish such as salmon and trout can adjust to slightly warmer-than-normal temperatures for short periods, abnormally high temperat ...	2018