Rebecca Epanchin-Niell
Senior Fellow
Becky Epanchin-Niell’s research focuses on ecosystem management, particularly understanding how human behavior affects ecological resources and identifying strategies to improve management. Much of her work has focused on invasive species, including strategies to control established invaders, improvement of monitoring strategies, and cooperative management. She also has examined the role of restoration for reducing long-term fire threats and management costs in the western United States and the effects of rural residential development on plants and animals. Epanchin-Niell’s work often draws on econometric and bioeconomic modeling approaches and incorporates spatial aspects of resource movement and use.
Education
- PhD in agricultural and resource economics, University of California, Davis, 2009
- MS in applied economics and statistics, University of Nevada, Reno, 2003
- MS in biology, University of Nevada, Reno, 2001
- BS in Earth systems, Stanford University, 1997
Featured Content
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Media Highlight — Nov 13, 2023
Chesapeake Bay Journal: “Salt Patches, a Product of Rising Seas, Are Spreading Rapidly on the Chesapeake’s Eastern Shore”
A peer-reviewed article coauthored by RFF Senior Fellow Becky Epanchin-Niell is the subject of an article about saltwater intrusion in the Chesapeake region.
Resources Radio — Oct 24, 2023
When Freshwater Gets Salty, with Becky Epanchin-Niell
Becky Epanchin-Niell discusses saltwater contamination in freshwater; the causes of contamination; and how this saltwater intrusion affects drinking water, agriculture, coastal ecosystems, and economies.
Media Highlight — Jul 28, 2023
National Parks Traveler: "National Park System Expansion is Key to Biodiversity Protection"
RFF Senior Fellows Margaret Walls and Rebecca Epanchin-Niell are referenced in this article about the importance of natural landscapes for species conservation.
Journal Article — Jul 20, 2023
The Spread and Cost of Saltwater Intrusion in the US Mid-Atlantic
This journal article develops a high-resolution dataset showing salt patches on farm fringes and quantifies the extent of salt-impacted lands across the Delmarva Peninsula.
Journal Article — Jul 20, 2023
The Spread and Cost of Saltwater Intrusion in the US Mid-Atlantic
This journal article develops a high-resolution dataset showing salt patches on farm fringes and quantifies the extent of salt-impacted lands across the Delmarva Peninsula.
Journal Article — Apr 26, 2023
Factors Associated with Preemptive Conservation of Imperiled Species under the US Endangered Species Act
In this study, we explore the importance of contextual factors that we hypothesized could influence voluntary decisions to promote or inhibit preemptive conservation of species that are under consideration for Endangered Species Act listing.
Journal Article — Apr 9, 2023
Optimizing Management of Invasions in an Uncertain World Using Dynamic Spatial Models
Optimizing Management of Invasions in an Uncertain World Using Dynamic Spatial Models
Journal Article — Mar 10, 2023
How Social and Ecological Characteristics Shape Transaction Costs in Polycentric Wildfire Governance: Insights from the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Ecosystem, California, USA
This journal article utilizing exponential random graph modeling to analyze the social and ecological drivers of polycentric wildfire governance in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Protected Area-Centered Ecosystem.
RFF Live — Dec 12, 2019
Implementing Changes to the ESA: What Happens Next?
Implementing Changes to the ESA: What Happens Next?
Workshop — Sep 25, 2018
Exploring the Future of the Endangered Species Act
Exploring the Future of the Endangered Species Act
Workshop — Dec 4, 2013
Species Conservation under the Endangered Species Act: Science, Partnerships, and Effectiveness
Panelists will draw on examples of success and new strategies to suggest paths for increasing the effectiveness of ESA implementation going forward.
Workshop — Mar 7, 2012
Invasive Species: Impacts, Challenges, and Strategies for Management
Invasive Species: Impacts, Challenges, and Strategies for Management
Resources Radio — Oct 24, 2023
When Freshwater Gets Salty, with Becky Epanchin-Niell
Becky Epanchin-Niell discusses saltwater contamination in freshwater; the causes of contamination; and how this saltwater intrusion affects drinking water, agriculture, coastal ecosystems, and economies.
Resources Radio — Jul 13, 2021
It Takes a Village: Public Engagement in Invasive Species Detection, with Rebecca Epanchin-Niell
Rebecca Epanchin-Niell contends that members of the public have an essential role to play in detecting invasive species.
Resources Magazine — Mar 13, 2019
Can Cold Snaps Provide Relief from Invasive Species?
Extreme cold can kill off the eggs and larvae of forest and agricultural pests, and can slow, or even reverse, their spread.
Common Resources — Dec 19, 2018
BLM Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Changes: A Recalibration or A Short-Sighted Economic Grab?
The reactions to the land use plans affecting sage-grouse have been extreme, but outcomes are generally unknown, and much depends on how developmen...
Media Highlight — Nov 13, 2023
Chesapeake Bay Journal: “Salt Patches, a Product of Rising Seas, Are Spreading Rapidly on the Chesapeake’s Eastern Shore”
A peer-reviewed article coauthored by RFF Senior Fellow Becky Epanchin-Niell is the subject of an article about saltwater intrusion in the Chesapeake region.
Media Highlight — Jul 28, 2023
National Parks Traveler: "National Park System Expansion is Key to Biodiversity Protection"
RFF Senior Fellows Margaret Walls and Rebecca Epanchin-Niell are referenced in this article about the importance of natural landscapes for species conservation.
Media Highlight — Nov 22, 2021
Traveler Special Report: Invasive Mammals and the National Parks
Traveler Special Report: Invasive Mammals and the National Parks
Press Release — Apr 14, 2021
The American Public Is Responsible for Identifying Over a Quarter of New Invasive Species
The American Public Is Responsible for Identifying Over a Quarter of New Invasive Species