Current Research

Habitat ecology of neotropical migratory birds (NTMBs) in the Madrean Archipelago. Effects of prescribed fire on breeding and wintering birds in the American Southwest. Wildfire effects on bird and small mammal communities. Effects of fire risk abatement and restoration treatments on bird and small mammal populations.

Research Interests

Habitat ecology; population ecology; conservation biology; fire effects on birds and small mammals; effects of restoration on wildlife; effects of fuels reduction on wildlife; conservation planning

Past Research

Managing for wildlife requires a basic understanding of their ecology, hence much of my works focuses on habitat and resource use at hierarchies of space and time. Further, managers have various options for treatments they place on the ground. Understanding responses of key species and wildlife communities to these treatments will provide managers with critical information for making informed decisions.

Why This Research is Important

I've worked on various taxa including amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. Much of this work has focused on habitat associations, resource use, and population response to natural or human perturbation. Understanding factors that influence population status provides the basis for developing options that managers can use to ensure population persistance at appropriate spatial scales.

Education

• University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D. Wildland Resource Science 1989
• Humboldt State University, M.S. Wildlife Biology and Management 1985
• Michigan State University, B.S. Fish and Wildlife Biology 1981
• San Diego State University, B.A. Economics 1974

Awards & Recognition

Featured Publications & Products

• Hurteau, Sarah; Sisk, Thomas; Dickson, Brett; Block, William. 2010. Variability in nest density, occupancy, and home range size of western bluebirds after forest treatments.
• Pope, Theresa L.; Block, William M.; Beier, Paul. 2009. Prescribed fire effects on wintering, bark-foraging birds in northern Arizona.
• Russell, Robin E.; Royle, J. Andrew; Saab, Victoria A.; Lehmkuhl, John F.; Block, William M.; Sauer, John R. 2009. Modeling the effects of environmental disturbance on wildlife communities: Avian responses to prescribed fire.
• Krausman, Paul R.; Bleich, Vernon C.; Block, William M.; Naugle, David E.; Wallace, Mark C. 2011. An assessment of rangeland activities on wildlife populations and habitats Chapter 6.
• Block, William M.; Ganey, Joseph L.; Scott, Peter E.; King, Rudy M. 2005. Prey ecology of Mexican spotted owls in pine-oak forests of northern Arizona.
• Bock, Carl E.; Block, William M. 2005. Fire and birds in the southwestern United States.
• Moir, William H.; Block, William M. 2001. Adaptive management on public lands in the United States: commitment or rhetoric.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L.; Reiser, Hildegard. 1994. The Northern Goshawk: Ecology and management: Proceedings of a symposium of the Cooper Ornithological Society.
• Block, William M. 1991. Foraging ecology of Nuttall's Woodpecker.
• Buckland, Stephen T.; Russell, Robin E.; Dickson, Brett G.; Saab, Victoria A.; Gorman, Donal N.; Block, William M. 2009. Analysing designed experiments in distance sampling.

Publications

• Ganey, Joseph L; Iniguez, Jose M.; Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Block, William M. 2017. Developing a monitoring program for bird populations in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, using citizen observers: Initial stages.
• Latif, Quresh; Sanderlin, Jamie; Saab, Vicki; Block, William; Dudley, Jonathan. 2016. Avian relationships with wildfire at two dry forest locations with different historical fire regimes.
• Block, William M.; Conner, L. Mike; Brewer, Paul A.; Ford, Paulette; Haufler, Jonathan; Litt, Andrea; Masters, Ronald E.; Mitchell, Laura R.; Park, Jane. 2016. Effects of prescribed fire on wildlife and wildlife habitat in selected ecosystems of North America.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Iniguez, Jose M.; Hedwall, Shaula; Block, William M.; Ward, James P., Jr..; Jonnes, Ryan S.; Rawlinson, Todd A.; Kyle, Sean C.; Apprill, Darrell L. 2016. Evaluating desired conditions for Mexican spotted owl nesting and roosting habitat.
• Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Block, William M.; Strohmeyer, Brenda E. 2016. Long-term post-wildfire correlates with avian community dynamics in ponderosa pine forests Chapter J.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Iniguez, Jose M. 2015. Comparative nest-site habitat of painted redstarts and red-faced warblers in the Madrean Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona.
• Schwartz, Michael K.; Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Block, William M. 2015. Manage habitat, monitor species Chapter 10.
• Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Block, William M.; Ganey, Joseph L. 2014. Optimizing study design for multi-species avian monitoring programmes.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Ward, James P., Jr.; Jenness, Jeffrey S.; Block, William M.; Hedwall, Shaula; Jonnes, Ryan S.; Apprill, Darrell L.; Rawlinson, Todd A.; Kyle, Sean C.; Spangle, Steven L. 2014. Use of protected activity centers by Mexican Spotted Owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico.
• Block, Bill. 2013. Cause, effect, and observational studies.
• Block, Bill. 2013. It's all in the numbers, right.
• Block, Bill. 2013. Plan well, plan often.
• Sanderlin, Jamie S.; Block, William M.; Ganey, Joseph L.; Iniguez, Jose M. 2013. Preliminary assessment of species richness and avian community dynamics in the Madrean Sky Islands, Arizona.
• Block, Bill. 2012. Analysis paralysis.
• Block, Bill. 2012. Another year, another volume.
• Block, Bill. 2012. Are we ready to move forward.
• Block, Bill. 2012. Editor's message: Student involvement.
• Block, Bill. 2012. I'm back.
• Block, Bill. 2012. Journal tweaks and pet peeves.
• Block, William M.; Saab, Victoria A.; Ruggiero, Leonard. 2012. Putting science into action on Forest Service Lands Chapter 5.
• Block, William M.; Thompson, Frank R.; Hanseder, Dawn; Cox, Allison; Knipps, Anna. 2011. Journal of Wildlife Management guidelines.
• Pope, Theresa L.; Block, William M. 2010. Effects of prescribed fire on winter assemblages of birds in ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona.
• Krausman, Paul R.; Naugle, David E.; Frisina, Michael R.; Northrup, Rick; Bleich, Vernon C.; Block, William M.; Wallace, Mark C.; Wright, Jeffrey D. 2009. Livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, and rangeland values.
• Dickson, Brett G.; Noon, Barry R.; Flather, Curtis H.; Jentsch, Stephanie; Block, William M. 2009. Quantifying the multi-scale response of avifauna to prescribed fire experiments in the southwest United States.
• Jentsch, Stephanie; Mannan, R. William; Dickson, Brett G.; Block, William M. 2008. Associations among breeding birds and gambel oak in Southwestern ponderosa pine forests.
• Hurteau, Sarah; Dickson, Brett G.; Sisk, Thomas D.; Block, William M. 2008. Chapter 10: Avian community responses to forest thinning and prescribed surface fire, alone and in combination.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Cassidy, Regis H.; Block, William M. 2008. Estimating canopy cover in forest stands used by Mexican spotted owls: Do stand-exam routines provide estimates comparable to field-based techniques.
• Hurteau, Sarah R.; Sisk, Thomas D.; Block, William M.; Dickson, Brett D. 2008. Fuel-reduction treatment effects on avian community structure and diversity.
• Saab, Victoria; Block, William; Russell, Robin; Lehmkuhl, John; Bate, Lisa; White, Rachel. 2007. Birds and burns of the interior West: descriptions, habitats, and management in western forests..
• Block, William M. 2007. Getting it right Editorial.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 2007. How to be impactful Editorial.
• Block, William M. 2007. Is this truly an international journal Editorial.
• Morrison, Michael L.; Block, William M. 2007. Out with the old Editorial.
• Binkley, Daniel; Sisk, Tom; Chambers, Carol; Springer, Judy; Block, William. 2007. The role of old-growth forests in frequent-fire landscapes.
• Saab, Victoria; Bate, Lisa; Lehmkuhl, John; Dickson, Brett; Story, Scott; Jentsch, Stephanie; Block, William. 2006. Changes in downed wood and forest structure after prescribed fire in ponderosa pine forests.
• Morrison, Michael L.; Block, William M. 2006. Editorial: By the time you read this ....
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 2006. Editorial: Tread lightly or carry a big stick.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 2006. Editorial: Welcome to the new Journal of Wildlife Management.
• Covert-Bratland, Kristin A; Block, William M.; Theimer, Tad C. 2006. Hairy woodpecker winter ecology in ponderosa pine forests representing different ages since wildfire.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M. 2005. Dietary overlap between sympatric Mexican spotted and great horned owls in Arizona.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Ward, James P., Jr..; Strohmeyer, Brenda E. 2005. Home range, habitat use, survival, and fecundity of Mexican spotted owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico.
• Saab, Victoria A.; Kotliar, Natasha B.; Block, William M. 2005. Relationships of fire ecology and avian communities in North America.
• Bock, Carl E.; Block, William M. 2005. Response of birds to fire in the American southwest.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M. 2005. Winter Movements and Range Use of Radio-marked Mexican Spotted Owls: An Evaluation of Current Management Recommendations.
• Dickson, Brett G.; Block, William M.; Sisk, Thomas D. 2004. Conceptual framework for studying the effects of fuels treatments on avian communities in ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona.
• Converse, Sarah J.; Dickson, Brett G.; White, Gary C.; Block, William M. 2004. Estimating small mammal abundance on fuels treatment units in southwestern ponderosa pine forests.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Ackers, Steven H. 2003. Structural characteristics of forest stands within home ranges of Mexican spotted owls in Arizona and New Mexico.
• Block, William M.; Franklin, Alan B.; Ward, James P., Jr..; Ganey, Joseph L.; White, Gary C. 2001. Design and implementation of monitoring studies to evaluate the success of ecological restoration on wildlife.
• Dwyer, Jill K.; Block, William M. 2000. Effects of wildfire on densities of secondary cavity-nesting birds in ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona.
• Kyle, Sean C.; Block, William M. 2000. Effects of wildfire severity on small mammals in northern Arizona ponderosa pine forests.
• Boucher, Paul F.; Block, William M.; Benavidez, Gary V.; Wiebe, L. E. 2000. Implementing the expanded prescribed fire program on the Gila National Forest, New Mexico: implications for snag management.
• Wagner, Michael R.; Block, William M.; Geils, Brian W.; Wenger, Karl F. 2000. Restoration ecology: A new forest management paradigm, or another merit badge for foresters.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; King, Rudy M. 2000. Roost sites of radio-marked Mexican spotted owls in Arizona and New Mexico: sources of variability and descriptive characteristics.
• White, Gary C.; Block, William M.; Ganey, Joseph L.; Moir, William H.; Ward, James P., Jr..; Franklin, Alan B.; Spangle, Steven L.; Rinkevich, Sarah E.; Vahle, J. Robert; Howe, Frank P.; Dick, James L., Jr. 1999. Science verses political reality in delisting criteria for a threatened species: The Mexican spotted owl experience.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L.; Scott, Peter E. 1998. Development and evaluation of habitat models for herpetofauna and small mammals.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Dwyer, Jill K.; Strohmeyer, Brenda E.; Jenness, Jeffrey S. 1998. Dispersal movements and survival rates of juvenile Mexican Spotted Owls in northern Arizona.
• Aigner, Paul A.; Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 1998. Effect of firewood harvesting on birds in a California oak-pine woodland.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 1998. Habitat relationships of amphibians and reptiles in California oak woodlands.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Jenness, Jeffrey S.; Wilson, Randolph A. 1998. Mexican spotted owl home range and habitat use in pine-oak forest: Implications for forest management.
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Jenness, Jeffrey S.; Wilson, Randolph A. 1997. Comparative habitat use of sympatric Mexican spotted and great horned owls.
• Aigner, Paul A.; Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 1997. Design Recommendations for Point Counts of Birds in California Oak-Pine Woodlands: Power, Sample Size, and Count Stations Versus Visits.
• Block, William M.; Finch, Deborah M. 1997. Songbird ecology in southwestern ponderosa pine forests: A literature review.
• Hall, Linnea S.; Morrison, Michael L.; Block, William M. 1997. Songbird status and roles.
• Block, William M.; Finch, Deborah M.; Ganey, Joseph L.; Moir, William H. 1997. Summary (Songbird ecology in southwestern ponderosa pine forests: A literature review).
• Ganey, Joseph L.; Block, William M.; Boucher, Paul F. 1996. Effects of fire on birds in Madrean forests and woodlands.
• Block, William M.; Finch, Deborah M.; Brennan, Leonard A. 1995. Single-species versus multiple-species approaches for management.
• Finch, Deborah M.; Block, William M.; Fletcher, Reg A.; Fager, Leon F. 1993. Integrating neotropical migratory birds into Forest Service plans for ecosystem management.
• Block, William M.; Severson, Kieth E. 1992. Habitat associations of birds and herpetofauna in southeastern Arizona.
• Block, William M.; Morrison, Michael L. 1991. Influence of Scale on the Management of Wildlife in California Oak Woodlands.
• Morrison, Michael L.; Block, William M.; Verner, Jared. 1991. Wildlife-Habitat Relationships in California's Oak Woodlands: Where Do We Go From Here.
• Noon, Barry R.; Block, William M. 1990. Analytical considerations for study design.
• Block, William M. 1990. Geographic variation in foraging ecologies of breeding and nonbreeding birds in oak woodlands.
• Morrison, Michael L.; With, Kimberly A.; Timossi, Irene C.; Block, William M.; Milne, Kathleen A. 1987. Foraging behavior of bark-foraging birds in the Sierra Nevada.
• Block, William M.; With, Kimberly A.; Morrison, Michael L. 1987. On measuring bird habitat: influence of observer variability and sample size.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
RMRS-2010-006	A new approach to large-scale fish monitoring The old paradigm of 'how much is out there' is being replaced by a new method prototyped by the Rocky Mountain Research Station, which is easier ...	2010
RMRS-2010-013	Catalyzing Human Behavior in Support of Monitoring Recreation Impacts on Wildlife Surprising successes have been achieved in the first year of a pilot project examining how humans, lynx and wolverine use winter recreation area ...	2010
RMRS-2016-210	Contemporary Fire Effects on Birds Dependant on Historical Fire Regime Wildfire strongly shapes landscape structure and animal communities in dry forests of western North America. Forest Service research documents r ...	2016
RMRS-2017-233	Effects of prescribed fire on wildlife and wildlife habitat in selected ecosystems of North America Prescribed fire provides an important resource management tool that is effective at maintaining or enhancing habitats for many species of wildli ...	2017
RMRS-2016-187	Monitoring Bird Communities with Citizen Science in the Sky Islands The Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona have bird species found nowhere else in the U.S., which leads to a vibrant state and local ecotourism in ...	2016
RMRS-2010-005	Pioneering genetics research aids in fisher survival Rocky Mountain Research Station scientists and collaborators have pioneered a mitochondrial genome sequencing technique that can be used to answ ...	2010
RMRS-2010-021	Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Fire Findings Published In 2010, the Rocky Mountain Research Station published ground-breaking findings on fire behavior in southwestern ponderosa pine forests. Using t ...	2010
RMRS-2017-213	Using habitat requirements of woodpeckers to design post-fire salvage logging Can we conduct economically-beneficial forest management while maintaining wildlife populations in recently burned forests? Study shows trade-of ...	2017
RMRS-2010-004	Wolverine Futures in a Changing Climate Rocky Mountain Research Station researchers have demonstrated that wolverines are dependent on persistent spring snow for denning and this facto ...	2010