• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Climate smart agriculture: Assessing needs and perceptions of California's farmers -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ikendi, S., Pinzon, N.J., Koundinya, V., Taku-Forchu, N.C., Roche, L.M., Ostoja, S.M., Parker, L.E., Zaccaria, D., Cooper, M.H., Diaz-Ramirez, J.N., Brodt, S., Battany, M., Rijal, J.P., Pathak, T.B. 2024. Climate smart agriculture: Assessing needs and perceptions of California's farmers. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 8. Article 1395547. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1395547.
    
  • The water adaptation techniques atlas: A new geospatial library of solutions to water scarcity in the U.S. Southwest -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Silber-Coats, N., Elias, E.H., Steele, C., Fernald, K., Gagliardi, M., Hrozencik, A., Levers, L.R., Ostoja, S.M., Parker, L., Williamson, J.C., Yao, Y. 2024. The water adaptation techniques atlas: A new geospatial library of solutions to water scarcity in the U.S. Southwest. PLOS Water. 3(6). Article e0000246. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000246.
    
  • A variety-specific analysis of climate change effects on California winegrapes -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parker, L.E., Zhang, N., Abatzoglou, J.T., Kisekka, I., McElrone, A.J., Ostoja, S.M. 2024. A variety-specific analysis of climate change effects on California winegrapes. International Journal of Biometeorology. 68:1559-1571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-024-02684-8.
    
  • The impacts of climate change on California rangelands and livestock management -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Ostoja, S.M., Choe, H., Thorne, J.H., Alvarez, P., Kerr, A., Balachowski, J.A., Reyes, J.T. 2023. The impacts of climate change on California rangelands and livestock management. Journal of Agriculture. 13(11). Article 2095. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112095.
    
  • Climate change impacts on insect pests for high value specialty crops in California -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Jha, P., Zhang, N., Rijal, J.P., Parker, L.E., Ostoja, S.M., Pathak, T.B. 2024. Climate change impacts on insect pests for high value specialty crops in California. Science of the Total Environment. 906. Article 167605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167605.
    
  • Chapter 28 - Southwest - The Fifth National Climate Assessment Basin-(Abstract Only)
    Elias, E.H., White, D.D., Thomas, K.A., Bradatan, C.E., Brunson, M.W., Chischilly, A., Enquist, C.A., Fisher, L.R., Froehlich, H.E., Koebele, E.A., Mendez, M., Ostoja, S.M., Steele, C.M., Vanos, J.K., Lipschultz, F. 2023. Chapter 28 - Southwest - The Fifth National Climate Assessment Basin. American Geophysical Union Meeting Abstract. Abstract.
    
  • An atlas of solutions to water scarcity in the Southwest-(Abstract Only)
    Elias, E.H., Silber Coats, N., Hrozenick, A., Tanner, S., Ostoja, S.M., Williamson, J.C., Yiqing, G.Y. 2023. An atlas of solutions to water scarcity in the Southwest. American Geophysical Union Meeting Abstract. Abstract.
    
  • Soil carbon sequestration in global working lands as a gateway for negative emission technologies -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Almaraz, M., Simmonds, M., Boudinot, G., Di Vittorio, A.V., Bingham, N., Khalsa, S., Ostoja, S.M., Scow, K., Jones, A., Holzer, I., Manaigo, E., Geoghegan, E., Goertzen, H., Silver, W. 2023. Promotion of soil carbon in working lands as a gateway for negative emission technologies. Global Change Biology. 00:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16884.
    
  • Farmer adoption of climate-smart practices is driven by farm characteristics, information sources, and practice benefits and challenges -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Johnson, D., Almaraz, M., Rudnick, J., Parker, L.E., Ostoja, S.M., Khalsa, S.S. 2023. Farmer adoption of climate-smart practices is driven by farm characteristics, information sources, and practice benefits and challenges. Sustainability. 15(10). Article 8083. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108083.
    
  • Technical assistance providers identify climate change adaptation practices and barriers to adoption among California agricultural producers -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Johnson, D., Parker, L., Pathak, T., Crothers, L., Ostoja, S.M. 2023. Technical assistance providers identify climate change adaptation practices and barriers to adoption among California agricultural producers. Sustainability. 15(7). Article 5973. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075973.
    
  • California wine grape growers need support to manage risks from wildfire and smoke -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Zakowski, E., Parker, L., Johnson, D., Aguirre, J., Ostoja, S.M. 2023. California wine grape growers need support to manage risks from wildfire and smoke. California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0006.
    
  • An atlas of solutions to water scarcity in the Southwest-(Abstract Only)
    Silber-Coats, N., Steele, C., Hrozencik, A., Tanner, S., Ostoja, S.M., Williamson, J.C., Yao, Y., Elias, E.H., Holguin, J. 2024. An atlas of solutions to water scarcity in the Southwest. Proceedings American AGU Chapman Conference on the GIS in the Vadose Zone. Abstract.
    
  • Landscape genetics of a sub-apline toad: climate change predicted to induce upward range shifts via asymmetrical migration corridors -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Maier, P., Vandergast, A., Ostoja, S.M., Aguilar, A., Bohonak, A. 2022. Landscape genetics of a sub-apline toad: climate change predicted to induce upward range shifts via asymmetrical migration corridors. Heredity. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-022-00561-x.
    
  • Gene pool boundaries for the Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus canorus) reveal asymmetrical migration within meadow neighborhoods -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Maier, P.A., Vandergast, A.G., Ostoja, S.M., Aguilar, A., Bohonak, A.J. 2022. Gene pool boundaries for the Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus canorus) reveal asymmetrical migration within meadow neighborhoods. Frontiers in Conservation Science. 3. Article 851676. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2022.851676.
    
  • Observed changes in agroclimate metrics relevant for specialty crop production in California -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parker, L.E., Zhang, N., Abatzoglou, J.T., Ostoja, S.M., Pathak, T.B. 2022. Observed changes in agroclimate metrics relevant for specialty crop production in California. Agronomy. 12(1). Article 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010205.
    
  • Impacts of large-scale teleconnection indices on chill accumulations for specialty crops in California -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Zhang, N., Pathak, T., Parker, L., Ostoja, S.M. 2021. Impacts of large-scale teleconnection indices on chill accumulations for specialty crops in California. Science of the Total Environment. 791. Article 148025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148025.
    
  • Opportunities and barriers to adopting soil health practices as natural climate strategies in California-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Forest management handbook for small-parcel landowners in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range-(Government Publication)
    Stine, P., Ostoja, S.M., Mcmorrow, S. 2021. Forest management handbook for small-parcel landowners in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range. Informational Forestry. PSW-INF-1. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 85.
    
  • Reforestation tool for tree mortality in postfire reforestation framework for national forests in California-(Government Publication)
    Steele, Z., Meyer, M., North, M., Wuenschel, A., Ostoja, S.M. 2021. Reforestation tool for tree mortality in postfire reforestation framework for national forests in California. Forest Service General Technical Reports. Appendix 7:pp 191-192.
    
  • Climate change adaptation and pluralist extension approaches in California and Malawi: Examining challenges, successes, and opportunities for strengthening global extension systems-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • Climate change reduces frost exposure for high-value California orchard crops -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parker, L., Pathak, T., Ostoja, S.M. 2020. Climate change reduces frost exposure for high-value California orchard crops. Science of the Total Environment. 762. Article 143971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143971.
    
  • Adaptation strategies and approaches for California forest ecosystems-(Government Publication)
    Swanston, C.W., Brandt, L.A., Butler-Leopold, P.R., Hall, K.R., Handler, S.D., Janowiak, M.K., Merriam, K., Meyer, M., Molinari, N., Schmitt, K.M., Shannon, P.D., Smith, J.B., Wuenschel, A., Ostoja, S.M. 2020. Adaptation strategies and approaches for California forest ecosystems. Government Publication/Report.
    
  • Combined effects of biological control of an invasive shrub and fluvial processes on riparian vegetation dynamics -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Gonzalez, E., Shafroth, P., Lee, S., Ostoja, S.M., Brooks, M. 2020. Combined effects of biological control of an invasive shrub and fluvial processes on riparian vegetation dynamics. Biological Invasions. 22:2339-2356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02259-9.
    
  • Mapping fragile areas in ecosystems using only short-term spatial data -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Genin, A., Lee, S., Berlow, E., Ostoja, S.M., Kefi, S. 2020. Mapping fragile areas in ecosystems using only short-term spatial data. Biological Conservation. 241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108388.
    
  • Extreme heat effects on perennial crops and strategies for sustaining future production -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Parker, L.E., McElrone, A.J., Ostoja, S.M., Forrestel, E.J. 2020. Extreme heat effects on perennial crops and strategies for sustaining future production. Plant Science. 295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.110397.
    
  • Pleistocene glacial cycles drove lineage diversification and fusion in the Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Maier, P.A., Vandergast, A.G., Ostoja, S.M., Aguilar, A., Bohonak, A.J. 2019. Pleistocene glacial cycles drove lineage diversification and fusion in the Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus). Evolution. 73(12):2476-2496. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.13868.
    
  • Pleistocene glacial cycles drove lineage diversification and fusion in the Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Maier, P.A., Vandergast, A., Ostoja, S.M., Aguilar, A., Bohonak, A. 2019. Pleistocene glacial cycles drove lineage diversification and fusion in the Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus). Ecology and Evolution. 73(12):2476-2496. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.13868.
    
  • Short-term geomorphological and riparian vegetation responses to a 40-year flood on a braided, dryland river -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Gonzalez, E., Shafroth, P.I., Lee, S.M., Leverich, G.T., Real, R., Sherry, R.R., Ostoja, S.M. 2019. Short-term geomorphological and riparian vegetation responses to a 40-year flood on a braided, dryland river. Ecohydrology. 12(8). Article e2152. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2152.
    
  • Managing Effects of Drought in California -(Government Publication)
    Fettig, C.A., Wuenschel, A., Balachowski, J.A., Butz, R.J., Jacobsen, A., North, M., Ostoja, S.M., Pratt, B., Standiford, R. 2019. Drought Management in California. Forest Service General Technical Reports. 71-93. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-98.
    
  • Tamm Review: Reforestation for resilience in dry western U.S. forests -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    North, M.A., Greene, D.M., Steven, J.T., Coppoletta, M.W., Knapp, E.J., Latimer, A.J., Restaino, C., Topkins, R.D., Welch, K., York, R.K., Young, D., Axelson, J., Buckley, T.J., Estes, B., Hager, R., Long, J.W., Meyer, M.D., Ostoja, S.M., Safford, H.D., Shive, K.L., Tubbesing, C.L., Walsh, D., Werner, C.M., Wyrsch, P.M. 2018. Tamm Review: Reforestation for resilience in dry western U.S. forests. Forest Ecology and Management. 432:209-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.09.007.
    
  • Drought management recommendations for California (Published Abstract for 68th Annual Meeting of the Western Forest Insect Work Conference)-(Abstract Only)
    Fettig, C.J., Wuenschel, A., Balachowski, J.A., Butz, R.J., Jacobsen, A., North, M., Ostoja, S.M., Pratt, B., Standiford, R. 2018. Drought management recommendations for California. 68th Annual Meeting of the Western Forest Insect Work Conference, Denver, CO, March 2018. Meeting Abstract. http://wfiwc.org/content/68th-western-forest-insect-work-conference-denver-co-march-26-29.
    
  • River flooding and its impacts on large-scale biocontrol of Tamarix in the Colorado and Virgin River system: Moving targets and trajectories-(Proceedings)
    Lee, S.R., Shafroth, P., Ostoja, S.M., Brooks, M., Reed, S. 2017. River flooding and its impacts on large-scale biocontrol of Tamarix in the Colorado and Virgin River system: Moving targets and trajectories. In: Riparian Summit 2017. October 17-19, 2017, Davis, California.
    
  • Regional services in a research context: USDA climate hubs in the agricultural research service-(Abstract Only)
    Elias, E.H., Brown, D.P., Ostoja, S.M., Peck, D.E., Todey, D.P. 2017. Regional services in a research context: USDA climate hubs in the agricultural research service [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Available at: https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/webprogram/Paper108203.html.
    
  • Regional services in a research context: USDA Climate Hubs in the Agricultural Research Service-(Abstract Only)
    Elias, E.H., Brown, D.A., Ostoja, S.M., Peck, D.E., Todey, D.P., Rango, A. 2017. Regional services in a research context: USDA Climate Hubs in the Agricultural Research Service [abstrasct]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. October 22-25, 2017, Tampa, Florida, 357-1.
    
  • Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Sher, A.A., Anderson, R.M., Bay, R., Bean, D.W., Bissonnete, G.J., Cooper, D.J., Dohernwend, K., Eichhorst, K.D., El Waer, H., Kennard, D.K., Harms-Weissinger, R., Henry, A., Makarick, L.J., Ostoja, S.M., Reynolds, L.V., Robinson, W.W., Shafroth, P.B., Tabacchi, E., Gonzales, E. 2017. Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent. Biological Conservation. 213(Part A):106-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.06.043.
    
  • A multi-scale evaluation of pack stack effects on subalpine meadow plant communities in the Sierra Nevada-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Lee, S.R., Berlow, E.L., Ostoja, S.M., Brooks, M.L., Genin, A., Matchett, J.R., Hart, S.C. 2017. A multi-scale evaluation of pack stack effects on subalpine meadow plant communities in the Sierra Nevada. PLoS One. 12(6):e0178536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178536.
    
  • Regional services in a research context: USDA Climate Hubs in the USDA Agricultural Research Service-(Abstract Only)
    Brown, D.P., Elias, E.H., Ostoja, S.M., Peck, D.E., Todey, D.P. 2017. Regional services in a research context: USDA Climate Hubs in the USDA Agricultural Research Service [abstract]. Proceedings of the American Meteorological Society Conference on Applied. American Meteorological Society 23rd Conference on Applied Climatology, June 26-28, 2017, Asheville, North Carolina. Available at: . https://ams.confex.com/ams/23Applied/webprogram/Paper318812.html.
    
  • Germination and growth of native and invasive plants on soil associated with biological control of Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.)-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Sherry, R.A., Shafroth, P., Belnap, J., Ostoja, S.M., Reed, S.C. 2016. Germination and growth of native and invasive plants on soil associated with biological control of Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.). Invasive Plant Science and Management. 9(4):290-307. doi: 10.1614/IPSM-D-16-00034.1.
    

• Projects

  The USDA Climate Hubs – Supporting Natural and Working Lands Resilience by Co-Developing and Communicating Research-Informed Agro-Climate Practices In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:444458

  Climate Change Mitigation Outreach and Education: California Climate Hub Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)   Accession Number:444733

  A Webinar and Workshop Series of Decision Support Resources for Forest Managers in California Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)   Accession Number:440877

  Climate-Informed Reforestation Guidance and Support Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)   Accession Number:443831

  Multifaceted Pathways to Climate-smart Agriculture Through Integrated Participatory Program Development and Delivery Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)   Accession Number:442124

  Science Advisory Panel Support to the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)   Accession Number:442284

  Multifaceted Pathways to Climate-smart Agriculture Through Integrated Participatory Program Development and Delivery Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442668

  Objective-based Climate Ready Reforestation Workshop Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442915

  Science Applications for Advancing Federal and State Forest Management Pace and Scale Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442934

  Supporting Climate Literacy for United States Forest Service (USFS) Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442937

  A Water Sensitivity Analysis for Sustaining Irrigated Agriculture in the Southwest Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:442950

  Linking Climate Change Impacts on Forest Health, Fire Risk, and Vegetation and Snow Dynamics in California Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:444335

  Advancing Applied Climate Science Action for Diverse Agro-ecological Applications Across California Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:440880

  Climate Informed Reforestation Guidance, Resources, Workshops and Extension Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:444885

  Climate-informed decisions for natural and working lands Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:446952

Research Program:

Dr. Steven Ostoja is the director of the USDA California Climate Hub at Agricultural Research Service currently working on ecosystem management and rangeland restoration. The California Hub works at the science-practitioner interface alongside researchers and managers to develop and deliver science-based, region-specific information and products that supports climate-informed decision-making and adaptive capacity.  

The USDA California Climate Hub seeks to listen to the practical needs of those dealing with climate adaptation on the ground – resource managers, farmers, ranchers, forest owners, tribal authorities, and their representatives and advocates. To meet our users’ informational needs, we will draw upon our broad base of science and policy knowledge and will reach out to subject-specific experts.

Biography:

Steve is a native Californian from nearby Sacramento who earned his BS in ecology and MS in biological sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Steve went on to earn his PhD in ecology and conservation biology from Utah State University where his research focused on the effects of invasive species on wildlife communities and resource-consumer interactions in an applied rangeland restoration context. Before joining the Hub, Steve worked for the US Forest Service where he was head of the ecosystem management department on the Sierra National Forest. Prior to that, he worked as a supervisory ecologist for the US Geological Survey in the Yosemite office where he managed a research program that focused on invasive species management, restoration ecology, conservation biology and the effects of various stressors, including climate change, to plant and animal populations and communities. Steve joined the USDA California Climate Hub in September 2016.