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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » People & Locations » Sarah McCord
Sarah E McCord (PhD)
Range Management Research
Research Ecologist

Phone: (575) 646-5190
Fax: (575) 646-5889

2995 KNOX ST.
LAS CRUCES, NM 880038003

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Projects
Technology Development to Support Land Management, Monitoring and Research
Cooperative Agreement (A)
  Accession Number: 442535
Tools and Analyses for Data-Supported Management
Cooperative Agreement (A)
  Accession Number: 443108
LandCART Development and Maintenance
Cooperative Agreement (A)
  Accession Number: 443109
Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 435564
Streamlining the Use of Monitoring Data in Multiple Resource Decision Making
Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)
  Accession Number: 438062
Land Management and Monitoring Apps Development
Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)
  Accession Number: 442538
Rangeland Analysis Platform Support and Development
Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)
  Accession Number: 443987
Experimental Evaluation of Drought and Grazing Duration on Grassland Productivity
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 441584

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Leveraging erosion models with established land health assessments to support management decisions - (Abstract Only)
Wheeler, B., Webb, N., Williams, J.B., Edwards, B., Faist, A., Herrick, J.E., Kachergis, E., Lepak, N., McCord, S.E., Newingham, B.A., Pietrasiak, N., Toledo, D.N. 2023. Leveraging erosion models with established land health assessments to support management decisions. Society of Range Management. Abstract.
The gap intercept method: History and remaining questions - (Abstract Only)
McCord, S.E., Nafus, A., Kachergis, E. 2023. The gap intercept method: History and remaining questions. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Abstract.
Understanding variation in ecological site identification: Examining information accessibility and sensitivity in soil observations in the Western USA - (Abstract Only)
Martinez, P., Nafus, A., Laurence-Traynor, A., McCord, S.E. 2023. Understanding variation in ecological site identification: Examining information accessibility and sensitivity in soil observations in the Western USA. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Abstract.
Connecting modeled wind erosion estimates to Ecological Site Descriptions using quantitative ecological state keys - (Abstract Only)
Schallner, J.W., Webb, N.P., Edwards, B.L., McCord, S.E. 2023. Connecting modeled wind erosion estimates to Ecological Site Descriptions using quantitative ecological state keys. Society of Range Management. Abstract.
Linking canopy gap intercept to biocrust cover and composition - (Abstract Only)
Schaefer, A., Pietrasiak, N., Burkett, L.M., Nicholas, W., McCord, S.E., Anderson, J., Gabitzsch, M. 2023. Linking canopy gap intercept to biocrust cover and composition. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Abstract.
A framework and toolset for standardizing agroecosystem indicators Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
McCord, S.E., Brehm, J.R., Burnett, S.H., Dietrich, C., Edwards, B., Metz, L.J., Hernandez-Narvaez, M., Pierson Jr, F.B., Ramirez, K., Stauffer, N.G., Webb, N.P., Tweedie, C. 2022. A framework and toolset for standardizing ecosystem indicators. Ecological Indicators. 144:Article 109511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109511.
LandPKS Toolbox: Open-source mobile app tools for sustainable land management Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Maynard, J.J., Maniak, S., Hamrick, L., Peacock, G., Mccord, S.E., Herrick, J.E. 2022. LandPKS Toolbox: Open-source mobile app tools for sustainable land management. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 77(6):91A-97A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2022.0927A.
Long-term trends in vegetation on Bureau of Land Management rangelands in the Western United States. Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kleinhesslink, A.R., Kachergis, E., McCord, S.E., Shirly, J., Hupp, N.R., Carlson, J.C., Morford, S.L., Jones, M.O., Smith, J.T., Allred, B.W., Naugle, D.E. 2022. Long-term trends in vegetation on Bureau of Land Management rangelands in the Western United States.. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 87:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2022.11.004.
Ecological science infrastructure for sustainability transformations in rangelands - (Proceedings)
Bestelmeyer, B.T., Herrick, J.E., Brown, J.R., Browning, D.M., Densambuu, B., Elias, E.H., McCord, S.E., Peinetti, R., Spiegal, S.A., Webb, N., Williamson, J.C. 2022. Ecological science infrastructure for sustainability transformations in rangelands. International Grasslands Congress. Abstract.
A web interface for exploring and setting land management benchmarks - (Abstract Only)
Stauffer, N.G., Laurence-Traynor, A., McCord, S.E. 2022. A web interface for exploring and setting land management benchmarks. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Poster #1.
Measuring the social and ecological performance of agricultural innovations on rangelands: Progress and plans for an indicator framework in the LTAR network Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Spiegal, S.A., Webb, N., Boughton, E., Boughton, R., Bentley -Brymer, A., Clark, P., Holifield Collins, C.D., Hoover, D.L., Kaplan, N.E., McCord, S.E., Meredith, G., Porensky, L.M., Toledo, D.N., Wilmer, H.N., Wulfhorst, J.D., Bestelmeyer, B.T. 2022. Measuring the social and ecological performance of agricultural innovations on rangelands: Progress and plans for an indicator framework in the LTAR network. Rangelands. 44:334-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.12.005.
Adaptive monitoring for multi-scale land management: Lessons learned from the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) principles Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kachergis, E., Miller, S.W., McCord, S.E., Dickard, M., Savage, S., Reynolds, L.V., Lepak, N., Dietrich, C., Green, A., Nefus, A., Prentice, K. 2022. Adaptive monitoring for multi-scale land management: Lessons learned from the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) principles. Rangelands. 44(10):50-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.08.006.
Lessons given and learned from rangeland monitoring courses Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Newingham, B.A., Kachergis, E., Ganguli, A.C., Foster, B., Price, L., McCord, S.E. 2021. Lessons given and learned from rangeland monitoring courses. Rangelands. 44(1):29-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.08.003.
Ten practical questions to improve data quality Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
McCord, S.E., Welty, J., Courtwright, J., Dillon, C., Traynor, A., Burnett, S., Courtright, E.M., Fults, G., Karl, J.W., Van Zee, J.W., Webb, N., Tweedie, C. 2021. Ten practical questions to improve data quality. Rangelands. 44(1):17-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.07.006.
Adaptive monitoring in support of adaptive management in rangelands Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
McCord, S.E., Pilliod, D. 2022. Adaptive monitoring in support of adaptive management in rangelands. Rangelands. 44(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.07.003.
Provoking a cultural shift in data quality Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
McCord, S.E., Webb, N.P., Van Zee, J.W., Burnett, S.H., Christensen, E.M., Ericha, C.M., Laney, C.M., Lunch, C., Maxwell, C., Karl, J.W., Slaughter, A.L., Stauffer, N.G. 2021. Provoking a cultural shift in data quality. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 71(6):647-657. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biab020.
Vegetation canopy gap size and height: Critical indicators for wind erosion monitoring and management Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Webb, N., McCord, S.E., Edwards, B., Herrick, J.E., Kachergis, E., Okin, G., Van Zee, J.W. 2021. Vegetation canopy gap size and height: critical indicators for wWind erosion monitoring and management. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 76:78-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.02.003.
Standardized aeolian transport observations to support local- to regional-scale modeling. Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
Webb, N., Edwards, B., Van Zee, J.W., Courtright, E.M., McCord, S.E., Cooper, B., Duniway, M., Huggins, D.R., Metz, L., Moriasi, D.N., Newingham, B.A., Pierson Jr, F.B., Tatarko, J., Tedela, N., Toledo, D.N., Van Pelt, R.S., Williams, C.J. 2021. Vegetation canopy gap size and height: critical indicators for wind erosion monitoring and management. Association of American Geographers. 76/78-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.02.003.
Improving Landsat predictions of rangeland fractional cover with multitask learning and uncertainty Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Allred, B.W., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Boyd, C.S., Brown, C., Davies, K.W., Duniway, M.C., Ellsworth, L.M., Erickson, T.A., Fuhlendorf, S.D., Griffiths, T.V., Jansen, V., Jones, M.O., Karl, J., Knight, A., Maestas, J.D., Maynard, J.J., McCord, S.E., Naugle, D.E., Starns, H.D., Twidwell, D., Uden, D.R. 2021. Improving Landsat predictions of rangeland fractional cover with multitask learning and uncertainty . Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 12(5):841-849. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13564.
Data management in excel and R using national ecological observatory network's (NEON) small mammal data Reprint Icon - (Other)
Maritz, M., Mccord, S.E. 2021. Data management in excel and R using national ecological observatory network's (NEON) small mammal data. Meeting Abstract. https://doi.org/10.25334/Q4XH5S.
Linking ground-based monitoring programs and models to identify management responses to US dust emissions - (Abstract Only)
Understanding ecological condition and change on rangelands managed by the Bureau of Land Management: An initial report - (Abstract Only)
Burke, R., McCord, S.E., Kachergis, E., Jeffries, M., Dickard, M., Greene, A., Herrick, J.E., Lepak, N., Pilliod, D., Prentice, K. 2020. Understanding ecological condition and change on rangelands managed by the Bureau of Land Management: An initial report [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Meeting. August 3-6, 2020, Virtual. Poster # 88711.
Building resilience to climate change in agroecosystems by addressing wind erosion - (Abstract Only)
Scaling up agricultural research with artificial intelligence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bestelmeyer, B.T., Marcillo, G., McCord, S.E., Mirsky, S.B., Moglen, G.E., Neven, L.G., Peters, D.C., Sohoulande Djebou, D.C., Wakie, T. 2020. Scaling up agricultural research with artificial intelligence. IEEE IT Professional. 22:32-38.
Big data, local science: Not an oxymoron - (Abstract Only)
Bestelmeyer, B.T., McCord, S.E., Webb, N., Brown, J., Herrick, J.E., Peters, D.C. 2020. Big data, local science: Not an oxymoron [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Meeting. August 3-6, 2020, Virtual. Poster #81832.
Using benchmarks to assess management objectives across ecological domains - (Abstract Only)
Traynor, A., Miller, S., McCord, S.E., Webb, N., Stauffer, N.G., Kachergis, E., Newbury, C., Courtright, J., Cappucio, N. 2020. Using benchmarks to assess management objectives across ecological domains [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Meeting. August 2-7, 2020. Salt Lake City, Utah. Abstract #88722.
A data commons approach can help span scales and stakeholders to support ecosystem conservation and land use - (Abstract Only)
McCord, S.E., Webb, N.P., Bonefont, K., Burke, R., Edwards, B., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Herrick, J.E. 2020. A data commons approach can help span scales and stakeholders to support ecosystem conservation and land use [abstract]. Ecological Society of America Meeting. August 2-7, 2020. Salt Lake City, Utah.Abstract #82161.
Terradactyl: an example of modularity and ontologies to ensure the sustainability of open source software - (Abstract Only)
McCord, S.E., Stauffer, N.G. 2020. Terradactyl: an example of modularity and ontologies to ensure the sustainability of open source software [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting. February 16-20, 2020. Denver, Colorado.
Indicators and benchmarks for wind erosion monitoring, assessment and management Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Webb, N., Kachergis, E., Miller, S., McCord, S.E., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Brown, J., Chappell, A., Edwards, B., Herrick, J.E., Karl, J., Leys, J., Metz, L., Smarik, S., Tatarko, J., Van Zee, J.W., Zwicke, G. 2020. Indicators and benchmarks for wind erosion monitoring, assessment and management. Ecological Indicators. 110:105881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105881.
A web interface for creating random, spatially balanced landscape monitoring designs - (Abstract Only)
Stauffer, N.G., McCord, S.E., Karl, J. 2020. A web interface for creating random, spatially balanced landscape monitoring designs [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting. February 16-20, 2020, Denver, Colorado. Poster Pod 43, #92.
Spatial prediction of ecosystem state transitions on the Taos Plateau - (Abstract Only)
Heller, A., Webb, N., Bestelmeyer, B.T., McCord, S.E. 2020. Spatial prediction of ecosystem state transitions on the Taos Plateau [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting. February 16-20,2020, Denver, Colorado. #88. http://www.srm2020.org/uploads/1/2/4/5/124518227/proceedings_report_from_srm_posters_january_20_2020.pdf
Shared monitoring, share stewardship - (Abstract Only)
Defining thresholds for wind erosion in desert rangeland STMs - (Abstract Only)
Webb, N., Edwards, B., Burke, R., McCord, S.E., Van Zee, J.W., Courtright, E.M., Cooper, B. 2020. Defining thresholds for wind erosion in desert rangeland STMs [abstract]. Society for Range Management Meeting. February 16-20, 2020. Denver, Colorado. Session 9, 5.
terradactyl: R Package for Rangeland Core Methods Data Extraction and Calculation - (Abstract Only)
Mccord, S.E., Stauffer, N.G. 2019. terradactyl: R Package for Rangeland Core Methods Data Extraction and Calculation [abstract]. In: Abstract Proceedings of the 72nd Society for Range Management International Meeting, February 10-13, 2019. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 310.
A comparison of soil texture-by-feel estimates: Implications for the citizen soil scientist Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Salley, S.W., Herrick, J.E., Holmes, C., Karl, J.W., Levi, M.R., McCord, S.E., Van De Waal, C., Van Zee, J.W. 2018. A comparison of soil texture-by-feel estimates: Implications for the citizen soil scientist. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 82:1526-1537. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.04.0137.
AERO, a wind erosion modeling framework with applications to monitoring data - (Abstract Only)
Edwards, B.L., Webb, N.P., Mccord, S.E. 2018. AERO, a wind erosion modeling framework with applications to monitoring data [abstract]. 73rd Soil and Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference. July 29-August 1, 2018.Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Communicating Ecological Data with Land Managers: Lessons Learned - (Abstract Only)
Stauffer, N.G., Mccord, S.E., Kachergis, E. 2018. Communicating Ecological Data with Land Managers: Lessons Learned [abstract]. 103rd Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, August 5-10, 2018, New Orleans, Louisiana. P. 74.
AERO: An Aeolian erosion modeling environment - (Abstract Only)
Edwards, B.0., Mccord, S.E., Webb, N., Stauffer, N.G. 2018. AERO: An Aeolian erosion modeling environment [abstract]. International Conference on Aeolian Research. June 25-29, 2018, Bordeaux, France.
Comparison of 2 vegetation height methods for assessing greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Di Stefano, S.F., Karl, J.W., McCord, S.E., Stauffer, N.G., Makela, P., Manning, M. 2018. Comparison of 2 vegetation height methods for assessing greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 42(2):213-224. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.877.
High quality data: An evaluation of AIM data quality and data quality procedures - (Abstract Only)
Mccord, S.E., Burnett, S., Cappuccio, N., Courtwright, J. 2018. High quality data: An evaluation of AIM data quality and data quality procedures [abstract]. 2018 Conference of The Society for Range Management. January 28-February 2, 2018. Sparks, Nevada.
DIMA.Tools: An R package for working with the database for inventory, monitoring, and assessment - (Abstract Only)
Stauffer, N.G., Mccord, S.E. 2018. DIMA.Tools: An R package for working with the database for inventory, monitoring, and assessment [abstract]. 2018 Conference of The Society for Range Management. January 28-February 2, 2018. Sparks, Nevada.
Coordinating a national rangeland monitoring training program: Success and lessons learned - (Abstract Only)
Foster, B.M., Mccord, S.E., Kachergis, E. 2018. Coordinating a national rangeland monitoring training program: Success and lessons learned [abstract]. 2018 Conference of The Society for Range Management. January 28-February 2, 2018. Sparks, Nevada.
Evaluation of the automated reference toolset for oil and gas reclamation on Colorado rangelands - (Abstract Only)
Di Stefano, S.F., Brungard, C., Karl, J.W., Stauffer, N.G., McCord, S.E. 2018. Evaluation of the automated reference toolset for oil and gas reclamation on Colorado rangelands [abstract]. 2018 Conference of The Society for Range Management. January 28-February 2, 2018. Sparks, Nevada.
Challenges and opportunities with standardized monitoring for management decison-making - (Abstract Only)
Karl, J.W., Mccord, S.E., Miller, S.W. 2018. Challenges and opportunities with standardized monitoring for management decison-making [abstract]. 2018 Conference of The Society for Range Management. January 28-February 2, 2018. Sparks, Nevada.
Emerging ecological datasets with application for modeling North American dust emissions - (Abstract Only)
Mccord, S.E., Stauffer, N.G., Garman, S., Webb, N. 2017. Emerging ecological datasets with application for modeling North American dust emissions [abstract]. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 11-15, 2017, New Orleans, Louisiana. Abstract No. 226565.
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