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Trevor Caughlin

@trevorcaughlin.bsky.social
3.2K followers 2.7K following 966 posts

Plant ecologist 🌈 caughlinlab.com

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Reposted by Trevor Caughlin
Jeremy Yoder says no war @jbyoder.org · 16/08/2026
I’ve been re-reading LOOK TO WINDWARD and just hit this passage in which Iain M Banks, fully 26 years ago, absolutely nailed the point of human creativity in a world of machine superintelligence. (This is an accomplished composer speaking with the avatar of a godlike AI Mind)
Image of a printed page, text:

"Thank you. Ziller continued drying his flanks with the towel, then looked at the avatar.
'Yes?' it said
'I was wondering.'
'What?'
Something I've wondered about ever since I came here, something I've never asked you, first of all because I was worried what the answer would be, later because I suspected I already knew the answer.?
"Goodness. What can it be?' the avatar asked, blinking.
If you tried, if any Mind tried, could you impersonate my style?" the Chelgrian asked. 'Could you write a piece - a symphony, say - that would appear, to the critical appraiser, to be by me, and which, when I heard it, I'd imagine being proud to have written?'
The avatar frowned as it walked. It clasped its hands behind its back. It took a few more steps. 'Yes, I imagine that would be possible?
"Would it be easy?'
'No. No more easy than any complicated task.'
'But you could do it much more quickly than I could?'
'Id have to suppose so.'
'Hmm. Ziller paused. The avatar turned to face him. Behind Ziller, the rocks and veil trees of the deepening gorge moved swiftly past. The barge rocked gently beneath their feet. 'So what, the Chelgrian asked, "is the point of me or anybody else writing a symphony, or anything else?'…
‘Ziller, are you concerned that Minds - Als, if you like - can create, or even just appear to create, original works of art?'
‘Frankly, when they're the sort of original works of art that I create, yes.'
‘Ziller, it doesn't matter. You have to think like a mountain climber'
‘Oh, do I?'
‘Yes. Some people take days, sweat buckets, endure pain and cold and risk injury and - in some cases - permanent death to achieve the summit of a mountain only to discover there a party of their peers freshly arrived by aircraft and enjoying a light picnic.’
'If I was one of those climbers I'd be pretty damned annoyed.' 
‘Well, it is considered rather impolite to land an aircraft on a summit which people are at that moment struggling up to the hard way, but it can and does happen. Good manners indicate that the picnic ought to be shared and that those who arrived by aircraft express awe and respect for the accomplishment of the climbers.’
‘The point, of course, is that the people who spent days and sweated buckets could also have taken an aircraft to the summit if all they'd wanted was to absorb the view. It is the struggle that they crave. The sense of achievement is produced by the route to and from the peak, not by the peak itself. It is just the fold between the pages? The avatar hesitated. It put its head a little to one side and narrowed its eyes. 'How far do I have to take this analogy, Cr Ziller?'
‘You've made your point, but this mountain climber still’wonders if he ought to re-educate his soul to the joys of flight and stepping out onto someone else's summit.’
'Better to create your own. Come on; I've a dying man to see on his way.'
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Lars Brudvig @lars-brudvig.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Join us through the Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship in EEB! Conduct your own research, mentored by 2+ EEB faculty. $65k salary + research/moving $. All areas of EEB welcome. Apply by 11/1 I co-chair this search and am happy to field questions Spread the word! eeb.msu.edu/initiatives/...
eeb.msu.edu
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
New paper! We used drones + ensemble models to map 18 plant species in threatened sagebrush steppe with >90% accuracy. Low-cost RGB cameras perform nearly as well as multispec: good news for monitoring biodiversity in these landscapes. read it here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ra... #drones #sagebrush #UAV
a representative landscape of the sagebrush steppe, with some shrubs in the foreground and a beautiful snowy mountain in the background.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Interested in deep learning in ecology? Apply for a postdoc position at Boise State! We are accepting applications until August 15th. I am at ESA, if anyone would like to have an in-person conversation about the position. #ESA #drones #postdoc #jobs
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David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
My Spanish champion is Pontevedra Mayor Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores, who kicked cars out of city center: “It's not my duty as mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. It's the same as if you bought a cow, or fridge, and then ask me where you're going to put them.”
fastcompany.com
This Spanish city has been restricting cars for 24 years. Here's what we can learn from it
Pontevedra, Spain, offers some of the best evidence available about what happens when a city is reconfigured to accommodate people, rather than cars.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
New job--please share! Looking for a postdoc to deep learning methods for identifying plant species from drone imagery. The two year position offers a salary of $78,000 and the option to be based in Boise, Idaho, or Burns, Oregon. For more info: caughlinlab.com/join-the-lab/ #postdoc #drones #ai
caughlinlab.com
Join the lab! – Caughlin lab
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Collecting wild seed is one of the biggest challenges in restoration ecology. How do you identify reproductive plants across landscapes? We show how drones could provide a solution, predicting flower production of a native shrub: doi.org/10.1016/j.ra... #rangelands #sagebrush ​
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
New paper out led by Louis Jochems. We develop prediction models for a nasty invasive species, European Frogbit, in the Great Lakes. Dispersal-related variables were more important than establishment-related variables. Statistical models can help guide early detection! 🐸 ☘️ doi.org/10.1002/eap....
doi.org
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
new PhD position available! The student will develop remote sensing tools to support land management in the western United States, contributing to ongoing USDA-funded research on monitoring and restoring mesic and riparian ecosystems. For more details, please see: caughlinlab.com/join-the-lab/
caughlinlab.com
Join the lab! – Caughlin lab
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Wayne Maddison @waynemaddison.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
new paper, led by @nkolarik.bsky.social: monitoring outcomes of ecological restoration is challenging. Satellite imagery could help, but interpretation requires statistics that can identify breakpoints in messy time-series data. We provide a practical guide: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
aerial and satellite imagery from before and after a river restoration project in central Idaho, USA
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
after more than 15 years as a scientist, I just submitted my first preprint
media.tenor.com
a man stands in front of a sign that says ' usted leadership for a stronger america '
ALT: a man stands in front of a sign that says ' usted leadership for a stronger america '
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Life is all about making choices, and stats is no exception. You can either select the best predictive model out of a big set OR you can look at p-values from a model. Not both! Good news is choosing between prediction vs inference often streamlines workflows and makes writing more logical.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
🚨 New paper, led by Cristina Barber. We used high-resolution aerial imagery to study tree mortality in a tropical landscape. Large, isolated trees were most likely to die--alarming finding! @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
A map of tree crowns in southwestern Panama, showing satellite imagery of a tropical landscape
A scientist surveying trees in a pastoral landscape with a GPS unit
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Given that a substantial number of people will likely read AI-based summaries of our scientific papers, how should we be adapting our writing style? Are there stylistic or structural choices that will make writing more palatable to our AI overlords?
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
IMPORTANT: The Dutch invested €595 million annually on urban biking, resulting in €19 BILLION saved in public health care costs alone. That’s how smart governments do the math on investing in better mobility. Let’s be clear— it wastes public money to NOT do it. #CityMakingMath HT @modacitylife.com
Images of Dutch urban biking infrastructure. #Dutch
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Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
I am so heartened to this seriously AWESOME #SaveNSF website go up today!!!! Has a take action toolkit with: 1. Press outreach templates 2. Social media toolkit 3. Elected official outreach 4. Talking points Check it out and share widely!!!! Likely more to come. www.savensf.com
Welcome to Save The U.S. National Science Foundation
A Girl Looking at a Physics Model
TAKE ACTION
Save NSF is a coalition of concerned scientists and allies who are working to save funding for scientific grants through the U.S. National Science Foundation.

 

Our mission is to support and advocate for the continuation of vital research and innovation in various scientific fields. NSF funding is critical to this work.

 

 Join us in our endeavor to ensure a sustainable future for scientific exploration and discovery.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Was going to post something pithy about how the takeover of New College relates to state of higher ed...but I can't. This place was my alma mater. Its quirks nourished me and I am heartbroken to see it destroyed www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
chronicle.com
The College That Conservatives Took Over
The overhaul of New College of Florida stoked fear on the left and excitement on the right. Two years in, what’s really changed?
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
government investments in research aids the economy!!! “... a lot of our increase in living standards seems to be coming from public investment in scientific research,” said Fieldhouse, economist and author of study. “The rates of return are just really high.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/b...
nytimes.com
Trump’s Cuts to Science Funding Could Hurt U.S. Economy, Study Shows (Gift Article)
Reducing federal support for research and development could cause long-run economic damage and reduce government revenue.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
A bumper year for bitterbrush flowers in Boise foothills
A shrub in a desert landscape covered in yellow flowers
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
media.tenor.com
a woman in a butterfly costume is standing in front of a microphone .
ALT: a woman in a butterfly costume is standing in front of a microphone .
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
enjoyed this book on accessory dwelling units in American cities. Zoning for single family homes is not working for many of us; ADUs are emerging as a solution. Author convincingly makes the case that policy solutions, including formalizing "illegal" ADU setups, can help alleviate housing scarcity
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Proud of my hometown, Boise Idaho, for serving as a global leader in geothermal energy www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/c...
nytimes.com
They’re in Hot Water in Idaho. Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing. (Gift Article)
Nearly 500 buildings in the state capital get their heat from a clean, renewable source located deep in the ground.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Tenure clock extensions are a scam! Don't fall for it!
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Bill Greer @billfgreer.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
We’re making it happen… but the need and timing seems to be accelerating, EO data is an incredible value, and the barriers to entry have been lowering for a while now. The time is now!
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Love the idea of a humanitarian satellite constellation
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
please share: I am recruiting for a PhD student to join my lab for fall 2025. I am interested in finding someone who is passionate about applying models to study plant ecology. Potential study systems include urban environments, sagebrush steppe, and tropical forest. caughlinlab.com/join-the-lab/
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Having worked in Latin American cities like Buenos Aires, Santiago, Bogotá and especially Medellín, I’ll keep on saying this — global cities have a lot to learn from Latin American cities. Especially around applying the equity lens to infrastructure, and doing smart, creative things REALLY FAST.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Desert stream temps mean life or death for aquatic organisms. Drones can measure stream temps across large areas--but how do drones compare to in situ measurements? In new paper, led by Mel Campbell, we flew for 24 hours to evaluate thermal accuracy #UAS #drones www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/13...
drone imagery, including an RGB orthomosaic and stream temperature data over a desert canyon. The image shows four different flights across a 24 hour period.
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Robert Mahon @bedform.org · 21/02/2025
Public lands are one of the few remaining great equalizers of America’s increasingly ultra-wealthy-centric economy. This would be the death knell for hunting and fishing access, for hiking, cycling, and other forms of rec. It would be a great betrayal of our obligation as stewards of that land
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Robert Simmon @rsimmon.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
A reminder that government is fundamentally different from business: the Landsat program created more than $30 Billion in value by giving away free data. www.usgs.gov/landsat-miss...
Infographic showing the economic value created by free Landsat data. 25 billion in direct value, ~900 million in indirect value, and ~670 million in indirect cost saved. Landsat Next is expected to add another 8 billion in value.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Heartbreaking to see so many brilliant young scientists, who chose a career with the federal government to make a positive difference for our country, suddenly cut loose. I am sad and angry.
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Shelly Gaynor @shellygaynor.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
It's here and ahead-of-print at @asn-amnat.bsky.social ! 🎉 Our 22-page polyploid coexistence model is now available: doi.org/10.1086/734411 This work wouldn’t be possible without NSF support—including funding from an NSF GRFP, an NSF PRFB, and NSF DMS & DBI grants. @soltislab.bsky.social l
doi.org
University of Chicago Press Journals: Cookie absent
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Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Most people in the US have no idea about the attacks on federally funded science or our government institutions. Many (or most!) of your family, coworkers, neighbors, and friends have no idea. My own MAGA dad thinks DOGE is just identifying waste, and that nothing has been cut. We have to tell them.
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Lars Brudvig @lars-brudvig.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Thinking about my US Forest Service partners and research collaborators. You are all so fantastic.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
International research that supports humans and nature is more important than ever. Proud of @boisestate.bsky.social and the Peregrine Fund for supporting tropical research, led by scientists from tropical countries! www.boisestate.edu/news/2025/02...
boisestate.edu
Birds of prey nonprofit supports Boise State Ph.D. student
Boise-based conservation nonprofit The Peregrine Fund has committed nearly $250,000 to Boise State University in...
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Great presentation by @nkolarik.bsky.social! Nick uses satellite observations to monitor changes in desert streams, including impacts of beavers and humans. This is part of @boisestate.bsky.social's Science On Tap event, where scientists talk about their research at local breweries #scicomm
A man holding a microphone is presenting a slide titled, "Beavers are chaotic" to an audience of people in a brewery
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
New paper out, led by @villarreal-miguel.bsky.social. There's a disconnect between remote sensing advances and application to ecology (including only 11 UAS papers in Landscape Ecology!). We provide a guide for using drones to answer ecological ?s: link.springer.com/article/10.1... #uas #drones
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
As scientists, we must continue to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Most importantly, broadening participation in science is the right thing to do. In addition, numerous peer-reviewed pubs have shown that diverse teams are more productive and innovative. Diversity has benefits!
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Miriam Goldstein @miriamgoldstein.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Just in case you thought that removing DEI criteria would mean that everyone is competing equally: NIH is removing grad students from underrepresented backgrounds from the applicant pool altogether. Their applications will not be considered. Other students, not from these backgrounds, will be.
Update: They were removed from our reviewer assignments completely. I'm so sorry to all those graduate students. 

Anonymous to protect the identity of the NIH employee I spoke to...I am on study section next month to discuss F awards. We were just instructed to put the F31-Diversity applications on the bottom of our priority list for review because there is a chance we may not be able to review them. My heart is breaking for the grad students and their mentors that put so much work into these just for them to be disqualified and thrown out.
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Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Raise your hand if you recognize ecosystems are millions if not trillions of interactions, connections, cause-and-effect, etc, across just innumerable species and vagaries of landscape and microclimates such that we still haven't identified every species that lives on this marvelously complex Earth.
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Tali Caspi @talicaspi.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
I'm so excited to share that my first dissertation chapter on SF coyotes is out in the #OpenAccess journal Ecosphere @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social. We DNA metabarcoded and genotyped hundreds of scats to explore dietary variation across the city 🧬💩 🧪 doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...
doi.org
Impervious surface cover and number of restaurants shape diet variation in an urban carnivore
In the past decade, studies have demonstrated that urban and nonurban wildlife populations exhibit differences in foraging behavior and diet. However, little is known about how environmental heteroge....
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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
I really can’t wrap my head around congressional Democrats’ response to the past 12 days of crises. It reeks of pathetic capitulation. Trump is asserting dictatorial powers of absolute control over the entire government and the reaction is “we don’t swing at every pitch”? An appalling abdication.
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Trevor Caughlin @trevorcaughlin.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
mapping buildings is important for so many applications, particularly at wildland-urban interface. PhD candidate Meg Dolman @boisestate.bsky.social has produced some great new research showing how we can apply open source tools to map this key land cover type
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Will Overbeck @naturebook.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Somme Prairie Grove is among the best models for tall grass savanna ecological restoration in the Midwest northbranchrestoration.org/map/somme-pr...
northbranchrestoration.org
Somme Prairie Nature Preserve – North Branch Restoration Project
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Dryland Plant Ecophysiology Lab @hultinelab.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Mapping the roots of saguaros at Saguaro NP. The DBG is partnering with SNP and the U of Wyoming to map the roots of saguaros. Knowing the distribution of saguaro roots reveals how sensitive they are to droughts, and to what extent these iconic plants engineer the water cycle of desert ecosystems.
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Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Carbon emission growth rates have slowed, and US emissions have fallen. That's not nothing. And it didn't happen by accident. Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for, and if you need to take a rest, by all means, do. But don't evangelize defeatism.
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ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 31/12/2024
sometimes I look at what tech bros have done with advanced technology and feel like it’s if someone invented the wheel and only used it for running over people’s fingers
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