John Benson

John Benson

  • Contact Information
  • My Story
  • Publications
  • Background
  • Interests
  • Grants
  • Advising
  • Courses Taught

Contact Information

TitleVertebrate Ecologist
Faculty RankAssociate Professor
Address520 South Hardin Hall
3310 Holdrege Street
Lincoln NE
68583–0995

East Campus
Phone
  • office: 402-472-8012
  • fax: 402-472-4915
E-mailjbenson22@unl.edu
VitaeDownload file

 

Contact Preference

email

Selected Publications

Benson, J.F., Dougherty, K.D., Beier, P., Boyce, W.M., Cristecu, B., Gammons, D.J., Garcelon, D.K., Higley, J.M. Martins, Q.E., Nisi, A.C., Riley, S.P.D., Sikich, J.A., Stephenson, T.R., Vickers, T.W., Wengert, G.M., Wilmers, C.C., Wittmer, H.U., Delinger, J.A. 2023. The ecology of human-caused mortality for a protected large carnivore. PNAS 2023 Vol. 120 No. 13. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220030120Online
Fill, C.T.*, Allen, C.R., Benson, J.F., Twidwell, D. 2023. Fine-scale spatial and temporal activity patterns between tree-roosting bat species in an intensively managed agricultural landscape. Plos One 18
Nisi, A.C., Benson, J.F., King, R., Wilmers, C.C. 2023. Habitat fragmentation reduces survival and drives source–sink dynamics for a large carnivore. Ecological Applications. 2023;e2822. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2822Online
Petridou, M.*, Benson, J.F., Gimenez, O., Kati, K. 2023. Spatiotemporal patterns of wolves and sympatric predators and prey relative to human disturbance in northwestern Greece. Diversity 15Online
Fill, C. T., C. R. Allen, D. Twidwell, and J. F. Benson. 2022. Spatial distribution of bat activity in agricultural fields: implications for ecosystem service estimates. Ecology and Society 27(2):11.Online
Nisi, A., Benson, J., Wilmers, C. C. (2022). Unreliable human cues create an ecological trap for a large carnivore. Oikos, 2022(5). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/oik.09051
Palumbo, M., Benson, J. F. (2022). Influence of resource selection on nonbreeding season mortality of mallards. Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(7). https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.22292
Thompson, C., Benson, J. F. (2022). Survey design for building a species distribution model for beaver. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 46(3). https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/wsb.1322
Wood, E., Benson, J. F. (2022). Spatial ecology of bighorn sheep in a prairie landscape in Nebraska. Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(3). https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.22201
Wood, E., T. Nordeen, W. M. Inselman, P. J. Mahoney, and J. F. Benson (2022) Spatial ecology of female bighorn sheep in a prairie landscape in Nebraska. Journal of Wildlife Management. e22201. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22201Online
Benson, J. F., Abernathy, H. N., Sikich, J. A., & Riley, S. P. D. (2021). Mountain lions reduce movement, increase efficiency during the Covid-19 shutdown. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2, e12093. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12093Online
Cove, M., Benson, J. Et al. (2021). Snapshot USA: the first coordinated national camera trap survey of the United States. Ecology, 102. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecy.3353Online
Fill, C., Allen, C., Twidwell, D., Benson, J. F. (2021). Northern long-eared bat roost use at the western periphery of their range. American Midland Naturalist, 185(2), 241-248.
Fill, C., Allen, C.R., Benson, J.F., Twidwell, D. 2021. Roost Use and Movements of Northern Long-Eared Bats in a Southeast Nebraska Agricultural Landscape. American Midland Naturalist. 185:241-248.Online
Riley, S. P., Sikich, J. A., Benson, J. F. (2021). Big cats in the big city: Spatial ecology of mountain lions in greater Los Angeles. Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(8), 1527-1542Online
Benson, J., Sikich, J. A., Riley, Seth P. D. (2020). Survival and competing mortality risks of mountain lions in a major metropolitan area. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION, 241.Online
Oliveira, T., Benson, J.F., Thompson, C., Patterson, B.R. 2020. Resource Selection at Homesites by Wolves and Eastern Coyotes in a Canis Hybrid Zone. Ecosphere. 11(12):1-15.Online
Benson, J. (2019). Conserving Ecological Roles of top predators in isolated mountains. Ecological Applications. Vol. 30, Issue 1.Online
Benson, J. 2019. Survival and competing mortality risks of mountain lions in a majormetropolitan area. Survival and competing mortality risks of mountain lions in a major metropolitan area, 6.Online
Benson, J., Mahoney, P., Vickers, T. W., Sikich, J. A., Beier, P., Riley SPD, Ernest, H. B., Boyce, W. M. (2019). Extinction vortex dynamics of top predators isolated by urbanization. Ecological applications: a publication of the Ecological Society of AmeOnline
Keiter, D. A., Benson, J. 2019. Implications of a Beaver Pelt Lining the Natal Chamber of a Wolf Den. Implications of a Beaver Pelt Lining the Natal Chamber of a Wolf Den, 26(4), 3.Online
Raynor, E. J., Harrison, J. O., Whalen, C. E., Smith, J. A., Schacht, W., Tyre, A. J., Benson, J., Powell, L. A. (2019). Anthropogenic noise does not surpass land cover in explaining habitat selection of Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido). The COnline
Benson, J. (2018). Population Genomic Analysis of North American Eastern Wolves (Canis lycaon) Supports Their Conservation Priority Status. Genes.
Benson, J., Jorgensen, S. J., O'Sullivan, J. B., Winkler, C., White, C. F., Garcia-Rodriguez, E., Sosa-Nishizaki, O., Lowe, C. G. (2018). Juvenile survival, competing risks, and spatial variation in mortality risk of a marine apex predator. JOURNAL OF APPOnline
Benson, J.F., Loveless, K.M., Rutledge, L.Y., Patterson, B.R. 2017. Ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern North America. Ecological Applications. 27(3): 718-733.Online
McLaren, A.A., Benson J.F., Patterson B.R. 2017. Multi-scale habitat selection by cow moose (Alces alces) at calving sites in central Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology 95:891-899.Online
Benson, J.F., Mahoney, P.J., Sikich, J.A., Serieys, L.E.K., Pollinger, J.P., Ernest, H.B., Riley, S.P.D. 2016. Demographic, genetic, and landscape interactions threaten viability of a large carnivore in a major metropolitan area. Proceedings of the RoyalOnline
Benson, J.F., Sikich, J.A., Riley, S.P.D. 2016. Population and individual-level resource selection patterns of mountain lions preying on mule deer along an urban-wildland gradient. PLOS-One 11(7): e0158006.Online
Little, A.R., Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J. Conner, L.M., Warren, R.J. 2016. Survival and cause-specific mortality of female Eastern wild turkeys in 2 longleaf pine savannas. Wildlife Biology 22:238-245.Online
Patterson, B.R., Mills, K.J., Middel, K.R., Benson, J.F., Obbard, M.E. 2016. Does predation influence of predation on seasonal and diel timing of moose calving in Ontario. PLOS-One 11(4): e0150730.Online
Benson, J.F., and B.R. Patterson. 2015. Spatial overlap, proximity, and habitat-use by Individual wolves within the same packs. Wildlife Society Bulletin 39:31-40Online
Benson, J.F., Mahoney, P.J., Patterson, B.R. 2015. Spatiotemporal variation in selection of roads influences mortality risk for canids in an unprotected landscape. Oikos 124:1164-1173.Online
Benson, J.F., Mills, K.J., Patterson, B.R. 2015. Resource selection by wolves at dens and rendezvous-sites in Algonquin Park, Canada. Biological Conservation 182:223-232.Online
Benson, J.F., Patterson, B.R, Mahoney, P.J. 2014. A protected area influences genotype-specific survival and the structure of a Canis hybrid zone. Ecology 95:254-264. (Cover Article).Online
Gardner, C.L., Pamperin, N.J., Benson, J.F. 2014. Movement patterns and space use of maternal grizzly bears influence cub survival in Interior Alaska. Ursus 25:121-138.Online
Benson, J.F. 2013. Improving rigor and efficiency of use-availability habitat selection analyses with systematic estimation of availability. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 4:244-251.Online
Benson, J.F., Mills, K.J., Loveless, K.M., Patterson, B.R. 2013. Genetic and environmental influences on pup mortality risk for wolves and coyotes within a Canis hybrid zone. Biological Conservation 166:133-141.Online
Benson, J.F., Patterson, B.R. 2013. Inter-specific territoriality in a Canis hybrid zone: spatial segregation between wolves, coyotes, and hybrids. Oecologia 173:1539-1550.Online
Benson, J.F., Patterson, B.R. 2013. Moose (Alces alces) predation by eastern coyotes (Canis latrans) and eastern coyote × eastern wolf (Canis latrans × Canis lycaon) hybrids. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 91:837-841.Online
Patterson, B.R., Benson, J.F., Middel, K.R., Mills, K.J. Obbard, M.E. 2013. Moose-calf mortality in central Ontario, Canada. Journal of Wildlife Management 77: 832-841.Online
Benson, J.F., Patterson, B.R., Wheeldon, T.J. 2012. Spatial genetic and morphologic structure of wolves and coyotes in relation to environmental heterogeneity in a Canis hybrid zone. Molecular Ecology 21:5934-5954.Online
Murray, D.L, Hussey, K., Finnegan, L., Lowe, S., Price, G., Benson, J.F. et al. 2012. Assessment of status and viability of a moose population at the southern range limit in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology 90:422-434.Online
Benson, J.F, Hostetler, J.H., Onorato, D., Johnson, W.E., Roelke, M., O'Brien, S.J., Jansen, D., Oli, M.K. 2011. Intentional genetic introgression influences survival of adults and sub-adults in a small, inbred felid population. Journal of Animal EcologOnline
Benson, J.F., Lotz, M.A., Jansen, D. 2008. Natal den selection by Florida panthers. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:405-410.Online
Land E.D., Shindle, D.B., Kawula, R., Benson, J.F., Lotz, M.A., Onorato, D.P. 2008. Florida panther habitat selection analyses of concurrent GPS and VHF telemetry data. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:633-639.Online
Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J. 2007. Space use, movements, survival, and reproduction of reintroduced female Louisiana black bears. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:2393-2403.Online
Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J. 2006. Cub adoption by a translocated female Louisiana black bear. Ursus 17:178-181.Online
Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J. 2006. Food habits of Louisiana black bears (Ursus americanus luteolus) in 2 subpopulations of the Tensas River Basin. American Midland Naturalist 156:118-127.Online
Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J., Leopold, B.D. 2006. Regulation of space use in a solitary felid: population density or prey availability? Animal Behaviour 71:685-693.Online
Benson, J.F., Perrine, J.D., Golightly Jr., R.T., Barrett. R.H. 2005. Use of cover and response to cover type edges by female Sierra Nevada red foxes in winter. Western North American Naturalist 65:127-130.Online
Benson, J.F., Chamberlain, M.J., Leopold, B.D. 2004. Land tenure and occupation of vacant home ranges by bobcats (Lynx rufus). Journal of Mammalogy 85:983-988.Online

Background

Education

DegreeMajorInstitutionYear Awarded
Doctorate of PhilosophyEcology and Conservation BiologyTrent University, Canada2013
Master of ScienceWildlife EcologyLouisiana State University2005
Bachelor of ScienceWildlifeHumboldt State University2001

 

Awards

TitleAwarded byYear Awarded
Early Achievement Faculty AwardCASNR | Holling Family Teaching Excellence Award2023

 

Websites

 

SNR Program Areas

  • Applied Ecology

Areas of Interest/Expertise

  • Endangered Species
  • Natural History

Grants

Currently this page only displays grants that were awarded on 1/1/ 2009 to the present. If a grant was awarded prior to 1/1/ 2009 and is still active, it will not be displayed on this page.

Grant TitleIntegrated Population Model for Mountain Lions in Nevada - Evaluating Harvest (Additional Funding)
Starting Date06/24/2024

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2024
Funding Level$14,850.00
Funding AgencyNevada Department of Wildlife

 

Grant TitleAssessment of Adult Females and Neonatal Mule Deer Survival, Movements, and Habitat Use in Nebraska
Starting Date05/06/2024

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/30/2024
Funding Level$18,000.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Game and Parks Commission

 

Grant TitleSpatial and temporal responses of ungulates to a naturally recolonized top predator (UCARE: Isabella Villanueva)
Starting Date05/02/2024

Investigator(s)

Ending Date05/01/2025
Funding Level$6,240.00
Funding AgencyInternal - 24-25 UCARE

 

Grant TitleElk Resources Selection, Movement, Survival, and Population Dynamics in Western Nebraska (Additional Funding)
Starting Date04/19/2024

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2028
Funding Level$60,300.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Game and Parks Commission

 

Grant TitleBison Spatial Ecology on Vermejo Ranch in New Mexico
Starting Date01/01/2024

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2024
Funding Level$52,469.00
Funding AgencySouth Dakota State University

 

Grant TitleStatewide Dispersal and Connectivity of Mountain Lions in California
Starting Date04/27/2023

Investigator(s)

Ending Date01/30/2024
Funding Level$13,953.00
Funding AgencyThe Nature Conservancy

 

Grant TitleIntegrated Population Model for Mountain Lions in Nevada (Additional Funding)
Starting Date01/06/2022

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2022
Funding Level$14,850.00
Funding AgencyNevada Department of Wildlife

 

Grant TitleElk Resources Selection, Movement, Survival, and Population Dynamics in Western Nebraska
Starting Date08/01/2021

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2028
Funding Level$831,942.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Game and Park Commission

 

Grant TitleIntegrated Population Model for Mountain Lions in Nevada - Evaluating Harvest
Starting Date01/13/2021

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2021
Funding Level$14,850.00
Funding AgencyNevada Department of Wildlife

 

Grant TitleMule Deer Study
Starting Date03/05/2019

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2023
Funding Level$656,650.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Games and Parks Commission

 

Grant TitleNebraska Bighorn Sheep Demography (Additional Funding)
Starting Date01/01/2019

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2020
Funding Level$30,000.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Games and Parks Commision

 

Grant TitleAssessment of Adult Female and Neonatal Mule Deer Survival, Movements, and Habitat Use in Nebraska (Additional)
Starting Date12/12/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2020
Funding Level$197,420.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Game and Park Commisson

 

Grant TitleNebraska Bighorn Sheep Demography
Starting Date07/01/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2020
Funding Level$449,000.00
Funding AgencyNGPC

 

Grant TitleNebraska Bighorn Sheep Demography (Additional Funding)
Starting Date07/01/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2020
Funding Level$95,000.00
Funding AgencyNGPC

 

Grant TitleAssessment of Adult Female and Neonatal Mule Deer Survival, Movements, and Habitat Use in Nebraska
Starting Date06/30/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2019
Funding Level$504,000.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Game and Park Commisson

 

Advising

Graduate Programs

Master of Applied Science

Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences
including specializations in

  • Applied Ecology

Doctorate of Philosophy in Natural Resource Sciences
including specializations in

  • Applied Ecology

Courses Taught

Course NumberCourse TitleFall Even YearsFall Odd YearsSpring Even YearsSpring Odd YearsSummer SessionCross Listing
NRES 386Vertebrate ZoologyXXBIOS 386
NRES 476/876MammalogyXXBIOS 476/876