Sarah B. Bassing, PhD

@sbassing.bsky.social

3666 Followers 515 Following

Assistant Prof. of Applied Quantitative Ecology, Montana State University | Species interactions, carnivore behavior, wildlife conservation | Camera trap & scat enthusiast | She - her - hers https://www.bassinglabecology.org/

Baited trap sits next to an active prairie dog burrow. Two researchers work into the background to place additional traps. Additional prairie dog burrows and clipped grass seen throughout the photo.
Northern lights over a house
Two people wearing backpacks stand together in a large open meadow with conifer forests and mountains in the background.
Two maps depicting the predicted den RSF (top map) and the predicted rendezvous site RSF (bottom map) in the portions of AZ and NM currently occupied by Mexican wolves. Darker red indicated highly suitable habitat, light yellow to white indicates least suitable habitat, and gray indicates regions that were not predicted across.
Figure depicting maps of the variables included in the best supported den RSF and corresponding density plots showing the spread of each variable based on the used vs available locations included in the model. Variables include elevation, slope, distance to nearest water, terrain ruggedness, and distance to nearest road.
Research team poses in a meadow of wildflowers overlooking mountains in the background
Coyotes pauses in tall grass to look up. Image collected for research as part of the Washington Predator-Prey Project.
4 graphs showing the mean number of hours between detections of a bobcat, coyote, mountain lion, or wolf, following the detection of another predator. The time between detections decreased as the relative abundance of white-tailed deer increased in an area.
4 graphs showing the probability of a bobcat or coyote using a site based on the level of percent forest covered or terrain ruggedness. The probabilities of use are conditional on whether the other species is present or absent.
3 graphs showing the probabilities that black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and wolves would use a site based on the level of percent forest cover, elevation, or terrain ruggedness.
A mountain lion walking through a forest. Image collected as part of research with the Washington Predator-Prey Project.
Name plate with room number “305A Sarah Bassing, PhD” on office door.
Long-legged shorebird with a long decurved bill walks across the sand near the waterline. The antenna of a transmitter is visible, extending above its wings. Gulls and other shorebirds stand nearby.
GPS-collared walks through an open area in the forest
GPS-collared cougar pauses in the dark
Graphs showing effect of terrain ruggedness on the probability deer, elk, cougars, or wolves would be in the faster movement state.
Graphs showing the probability a cougar or wolf was in the faster movement state differed depending on whether the area was selected for by different prey species.
Graph showing a decreasing probability a deer or elk was in the faster movement state in areas selected by cougars and wolves.
GPS-collared mule deer walks through snow at night
GPS-collared cougar stands in a forest
Three women smile together at a conference while standing on a very ugly carpet
Otter walks along far bank of a creek. Base of a large willow tree with many branches grows just upslope of the otter and the branches of another large willow are visible in the foreground of the photo.
PowerPoint slide describing exploitation competition with a promo picture from the Twilight movie series of Edward, Jacob, and Bella looking moody and airbrushed. Edward and Jacob compete for Bella’s heart. Edward uses up so much of Bella’s love that there’s not enough for Jacob.
Laptop with a document pulled up in the foreground. Beverage and binoculars in easy reach on a table. View of a creek and fall foliage bathed in afternoon light in the background.