Mark Brunson
Environment & Society
Professor

Educational Background
Expertise
Rangeland Ecology and Management, Translational Ecology
Teaching Interests
Intersections of social and environmental science
Influences of environment on human behavior
Translational ecology
Research Interests
Dynamics of coupled human-natural systems
Desert ecology
Human impacts on environment & how to minimize them
Awards
Editors' Choice - Rangelands, 2016
Elsevier
Graduate Research Mentor of the Year, 2014
College of Natural Resources
Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2013
Quinney College of Natural Resources
Range Manager of the Year, 2010
Utah Section, Society for Range Management
Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year, 2003
College of Natural Resources
Faculty Advisor of the Year, 2002
College of Natural Resources
Professor of the Year, 1997
College of Natural Resources
Faculty Advisor of the Year, 1995
College of Natural Resources
Publications | Abstracts
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Society and Range Management: A Commentary. J. of Range Management 49:68 *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
- Hruska, T., Huntsinger, L., Brunson, M.W, Li, W., Marshall, N., Oviedo, J., Whitcomb, H., (2017). Rangelands as Social-Ecological Systems: Rangeland Systems: Processes, Management and Challenges. Springer
- Brunson, M.W, Kartchner, H., (2016). Human Dimensions of Invasive Grasses: Exotic annual Bromus grasses in semiarid ecosystems of the Western U.S.: assessing causes, consequences, and management alternatives. Springer
- Tanaka, J.A, Brunson, M.W, Torell, L.A, (2011). A social and economic assessment of rangeland conservation practices: Conservation Benefits of Rangeland Practices: Assessment, Recommendations, and Knowledge Gaps. Allen Press
- Havstad, K.D, Peters, B., Allen-Diaz, J., Bartolome, B., Bestelmeyer, B., Briske, D., Brown, J., Brunson, M.W, Herrick, J., Huntsinger, L., Johnson, P., Joyce, L., Pieper, R., Svejcar, T., Yao, J., (2009). The western United States rangelands: A major resource. Pp. 75-94 in W.F. Wedin and S.L. Fales, eds. Grassland: quietness and strength for a new American agriculture. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy
- Brunson, M.W, (2005). Socioeconomic Responses to Silvicultural Alternatives. In: C.C. Maguire and College of Forestry Integrated Research Project: Ecological and Socioeconomic Responses to Alternative Silvicultural Treatments *
- Brunson, M.W, (2004). Social acceptability in forest and range management. In: M.J. Manfredo, J. Vaske, B.L. Bruyere, D.R. Field, and P.J. Brown, eds. Society and Natural Resources: A Summary of Knowledge
- Brunson, M.W, (2003). Indicators for maintenance and enhancement of multiple economic and social benefits to current and future generations. In: A First Approximation Report by the Sustainable Rangelands Roundtable *
- Brunson, M.W, (2002). Collaborative Stewardship: Views from Both Sides Now. In: Ecosystem Management: Adaptive, Community-based Conservation *
- Brunson, M.W, (2002). Perceptions of Ranching: Public Views, Personal Reflections. In: R.L. Knight, W.C. Gilgert & E. Marston, eds. Ranching West of the Meridian: Culture, Ecology, and Economics
- Brunson, M.W, (2002). Recreational Use of Elk. In: D.E. Toweill and J.W. Thomas, Eds., North American Elk: Ecology and Management
- Brunson, M.W, (2000). Managing naturalness as a continuum: the limits of acceptable change approach. In: P. Gobster and B. Hull, eds., Restoring Nature. Washington, DC: Island Press *
- Brunson, M.W, (1999). Changing natural resource paradigms in the United States: Finding political reality in academic theory. Pp. 459-473, In: D. Soden and B. Steel, eds. Handbook of Global Environmental Policy and Administration
- Brunson, M.W, (1998). Social Acceptability of Ecosystem Management in the Pacific Northwest. Pp. 147-160, in: D. Soden, B.L. Lamb, and J.R. Tennert, eds.. Ecosystems Management: A Social Science Perspective
- Brunson, M.W, (1998). Social dimensions of boundaries: Balancing cooperation and self-interest. Pp. 65-86, in: R. Knight and P. Landres, eds. Stewardship Across Boundaries. Washington, D.C.:Island Press
- Brunson, M.W, (1997). Consensus and dissension among rural and urban publics concerning federal forest management in the Northwest. pp. 83-94. In: B.S. Steel (ed.) Public lands management in the West: Citizens, interest groups and values *
- Brunson, M.W, (1997). Sources of variation in attitudes and beliefs about federal rangeland management in the Northwest. Pp. 33-46. In: B.S. Steel (ed.). Public lands management in the West: Citizens, interest groups and values
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Human Dimensions in Silviculture. Ch. 6, In: A.W. Ewert, ed., Natural Resource Management: The Human Dimension
- Brunson, M.W, (1995). Redefining 'multiple use': agency responses to changing social values. Pp. 143-158, in: A New Century for Natural Resources Management. R.L. Knight and S. Bates, ed. Island Press
Publications | Book Chapters
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Curriculum
- Brunson, M.W, (2014). Go-back land: restoring abandoned farmland and sustaining farm towns. National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Journal Articles
Academic Journal
- Morgan, B., Spangler, K., Stuivenvolt Allen, J., Morrisett, C., Brunson, M.W, Wang, S., Huntly, N., (2020). Water availability for cannabis in northern California: intersections of climate, policy, and public discourse. Water, 13:1, article 5. doi: https://dx.doi.org/ 10.3390/w13010005
- Moffet, C.A, Hardegree, S.P, Abatzoglou, J.T, Hegewisch, K.C, Sheley, R.A, Brunson, M.W, Flerchinger, G.N, Boehm, A.R, (2019). Weather Tools for Retrospective Assessment of Restoration Outcomes . Rangeland Ecology & Management, 72:2, 225-229. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2018.10.011
- Kalnicky, E., Brunson, M.W, Beard, K.H, (2019). Predictors of Participation in Invasive Species Control Activities Depend on Prior Experience with the Species. Environmental Management, 63:1, 60-68. doi: 10.1007/s00267-018-1126-2
- Bentley Brymer, A.L, Wulfhorst, J.D, Brunson, M.W, (2018). Analyzing stakeholders' workshop dialogue for evidence of social learning. Ecology and Society, 23:1, Article 42.
- Hardegree, S.P, Abatzoglou, J.T, Brunson, M.W, Germino, M.J, Hegewisch, K.C, Moffet, C.A, Pilliod, D.S, Roundy, B.A, Boehm, A.R, Brabec, M.M, Meredith, G.R, (2018). Weather-Centric Rangeland Revegetation Planning. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 71:1, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.rama.2017.07.003
- Enquist, C., Jackson, S.T, Garfin, G., Davis, F.W, Garber, L.R, Littell, J., Tank, J.L, Terando, A., Wall, T., Halpern, B., Hiers, J., Morelli, T., McNie, E., Stephenson, N.L, Williamson, M.A, Woodhouse, C.A, Yung, L., Brunson, M.W, Hall, K., Hallett, L.M, Lawson, D.M, Moritz, M., Nydick, K., Pairis, A., Ray, A.J, Regan, C., Safford, H.D, Schwartz, M.W, Shaw, M., (2017). Foundations of Translational Ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15:10, 541-550. doi: 10.1002/fee.1733
- Schwartz, M.W, Hiers, J.K, Davis, F.W, Garfin, G., Jackson, S.T, Terando, A.J, Woodhouse, C.A, Morelli, T., Williamson, M.A, Brunson, M.W, (2017). Developing a Translational Ecology Workforce. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15:10, 587-596. doi: 10.1002/fee.1732
- Briske, D.D, Bestelmeyer, B.T, Brown, J.R, Brunson, M.W, Thurow, T.L, Tanaka, J.A, (2017). Assessment of USDA-NRCS Rangeland Conservation Platforms: Recommendation for an Evidence-Based Conservation Platform. Ecological Applications, 27:1, 94-104.
- Wolters, E., Steel, B.S, Weston, D., Brunson, M.W, (2017). Determinants of Residential Firewise Behaviors in Central Oregon. The Social Science Journal, 54:2, 168-178. doi: 10.1016/j.soscij.2016.12.004
- Brunson, M.W, Baker, M.A, (2016). Translational training for tomorrow's environmental scientists. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 6:2, 295-299. doi: DOI 10.1007/s13412-015-0333-x
- Guttery, M., Messmer, T.A, Brunson, M.W, Robinson, J., Dahlgren, D., (2015). Hunter Motivations for Pursuing a Declining Species: Insights from Greater Sage-Grouse Hunters in Utah. Animal Conservation, doi: 10.1111/acv.12213
- Kalnicky, E.A, Brunson, M.W, Beard, K.H, (2014). A social-ecological systems approach to non-native species: Habituation and its impact on management of coqui frogs in Hawaii. Biological Conservation, 180, 187–195. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.09.044
- McIver, J., Brunson, M.W, Bunting, S., Chambers, J., Doescher, P., Grace, J., Hulet, A., Knick, S., Miller, R., Pierson, F., Pyke, D., Rau, B., Rollins, K., Roundy, B., Schupp, E.W, Tausch, R., Williams, J., (2014). A synopsis of short-term response to alternative restoration treatments in sagebrush steppe: the SageSTEP project. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 67:5
- McIver, J., Brunson, M.W, (2014). Multi-disciplinary, multi-site evaluation of alternative sagebrush steppe restoration treatments: The SageSTEP project. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 67:5
- Gordon, R., Shindler, B., Brunson, M.W, (2014). Acceptance, Acceptability, and Trust for Sagebrush Restoration Options in the Great Basin: A Longitudinal Perspective. Rangeland Ecology & Management
- Beever, E.A, Mattson, B.J, Germino, M.J, Post van der Burg, M., Bradford, J.B, Brunson, M.W, (2014). Successes and Challenges from Formation to Implementation of Eleven Broad-Extent Conservation Programs. Conservation Biology, 28, 302-314. doi: doi: 10.1111/cobi.12233.
- Kalnicky, E.A, Beard, K.H, Brunson, M.W, (2013). Community-level response to habitat structure manipulations: An experimental case study in a tropical ecosystem. Forest Ecology and Management, 307, 313-321.
- Kalnicky, E.A, Beard, K.H, Brunson, M.W, (2013). Community-level response to habitat structure manipulations: An experimental case study in a tropical ecosystem. Forest Ecology and Management, 307, 313-321.
- Nay, C., Brunson, M.W, (2013). A War of Words: Do Conflict Metaphors Affect Beliefs About Managing “Unwanted” Plants?. Societies, 3:2, 158-169. doi: doi:10.3390/soc3020158
- Brunson, M.W, (2012). The elusive promise of socio-ecological approaches to rangeland management. Rangeland Ecology and Management, 65:6, 632-637. doi: 10.2111/REM-D-11-00117.1
- Brunson, M.W, Tanaka, J.A, (2011). Economic and social impacts of wildfires and invasive plants in American deserts. Rangeland Ecology and Management
- Shindler, B., Gordon, R., Brunson, M.W, Olson, C., (2011). Public perceptions of sagebrush ecosystem management in the Great Basin. Rangeland Ecology and Management, 64, 463-470.
- Brunson, M.W, Price, E.A, (2009). Information use and delivery preferences among small-acreage owners in areas of rapid exurban population growth.. Journal of Extension, 47, Article 5FEA4.
- Brunson, M.W, Huntsinger, L., (2008). Ranching as a conservation strategy: Can old ranchers save the New West?. Rangeland Ecology and Management, 61, 137-147.
- Tidwell, L.S, Brunson, M.W, (2008). Volunteering to manage rangeland weeds: Results of a citizen survey in the southwestern U.S.. Rangelands, 30(4), 19-24.
- Kennedy, C.A, Brunson, M.W, (2007). Creating a culture of innovation in ranching: A study of outreach and cooperation in west-central Colorado. Rangelands, 29, 35-40.
- Peters, D.C, Sala, O.E, Allen, C.D, Covich, A., Brunson, M.W, (2007). Cascading events in linked ecological and socio-economic systems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 4, 221-224.
- Conley, J.L, Fernandez-Gimenez, M.E, Ruyle, G.B, Brunson, M.W, (2007). Forest Service grazing permittee perceptions of the Endangered Species Act in southeastern Arizona. Rangeland Ecology and Management, 60, 136-145.
- Elmore, R.D, Messmer, T.A, Brunson, M.W, (2007). Perceptions of wildlife damage and species conservation: lessons learned from the Utah prairie dog. Human-Wildlife Conflict, 1, 78-88.
- Salmon, O., Brunson, M.W, Kuhns, M.R, (2006). Benefit-based audience segmentation: A tool for identifying nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owner education needs. Journal of Forestry, 104:8, 419-425.
- Brunson, M.W, (2006). Benefit -based audience segmentation: A tool for identifying non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owner education needs.. Journal of Forestry, 104(8), 419-425.
- Brunson, M.W, (2006). Fire and fuel management communication strategies: Citizen evaluations of agency outreach programs. Society & Natural Resources, 19, 321-336.
- Brunson, M.W, (2006). Open spaces, working places. Rangelands, 28(5), 9-Apr.
- Brunson, M.W, (2005). Badly burned? Effects of an escaped prescribed burn on social acceptability of wildland fuels treatments. Journal of Forestry, 103, 239-246.
- Brunson, M.W, (2005). Changes in recreation quality after harvest: A decade of ratings for six silviculture treatments.. Journal of Environmental Management, 75(3), 239-246.
- Brunson, M.W, (2004). Adoption of range management innovations by Utah ranchers. Journal of Range Management, 57, 330-336.
- Brunson, M.W, (2004). Geographic variation in social acceptability of wildland fuels management in the western U.S.. Society & Natural Resources, 17, 661-678.
- Brunson, M.W, (2003). Crisis, context, and the reluctant socialization of the range profession. Rangelands, 25(6), 16-21.
- Brunson, M.W, (2003). Effects of Utah's coyote bounty program on harvester behavior. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 31(3), 736-743.
- Brunson, M.W, (2003). Recreationist responses to livestock grazing in a new national monument. Journal of Range Management, 56(6), 570-576.
- Brunson, M.W, (2003). Scenic quality after harvest: A decade of ratings for six silviculture treatments. Journal of Forestry, 101(2):30-36.
- Brunson, M.W, (2002). Range sites: are they the appropriate spatial unit for measuring and managing rangelands?. Rangelands, 24(6):7-12.
- Brunson, M.W, (2001). Future Social Changes and the Rangeland Manager. Rangelands, 23(6):33-35.
- Brunson, M.W, (2001). Naturalness and wildness: the dilemma and irony of ecosystem restoration in wilderness. Wild Earth, 10(4), 77-82.
- Brunson, M.W, (2000). Observing vs. Doing: A Researcher Looks at Collaboration. Chronicle of Community, 4(2):47-52.
- Brunson, M.W, (1999). Public Attitudes Toward Wildlife Damage Management and Policy. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27(3):746-758
- Brunson, M.W, (1999). U.S. public attitudes regarding predators and their management to enhance avian recruitment. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27(1):75-85
- Brunson, M.W, (1998). A framework for understanding social science contributions to ecosystem management. Ecol. Appl., 8:891-904
- Brunson, M.W, Yarrow, D., Roberts, S., Guynn, D., Kuhns, M.R, (1996). Nonindustrial private forest owners and ecosystem management: Can they work together?. J. of Forestry, 94, 14-21.
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Effects of ecological information on judgements about scenic impacts of timber harvest. J. of Environmental Management, 46:31-41
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Integrating 'human habitat' requirements into ecosystem management strategies: a case study. Natural Areas Journal, 16(2):100-107
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Nonindustrial private forest owners and ecosystem management: Can they work together?. Journal of Forestry 94(6):14-21
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Sources of variation in attitudes and beliefs about federal rangeland management. J. of Range Management 49:69-75
- Brunson, M.W, (1996). Strategies to Manage Conflicts Among Multiple Users. Weed Technology 10:447-450
- Brunson, M.W, (1995). The Changing Role of Wilderness in Ecosystem Management. Intrl. J. of Wilderness 1(1):9-13
- Brunson, M.W, (1994). National public attitudes toward federal rangeland management. Rangelands 16:77-81
- Brunson, M.W, (1994). Using image-capture technology to assess scenic value at the urban/forest interace: A case study. J. Envir. Manage. 40:183-195
Professional Journal
- Wilmer, H., York, E., Kelley, W.K, Brunson, M.W, (2016). "In every rancher's mind": Effects of drought on ranch planning and practice. Rangelands, 38:4, 216-221. doi: 10.1016/j.rala.2016.05.004
- Brunson, M.W, Huntsinger, L., Kreuter, U., Ritten, J., (2016). Usable Socio-Economic Science for Rangelands. Rangelands, 38:2, 85-89.
- Brunson, M.W, (2014). Unwanted no more: land use, ecosystem services, and opportunities for resilience in human-influenced shrublands. Rangelands, 36:2, 5-11. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2111/RANGELANDS-D-13-00064.1
- Brunson, M.W, Burritt, E., (2009). Behavioral factors in rotational grazing systems. Rangelands, 31, 20-25.
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | MultiMedia
Software
- Brice, E., Miller, B.A, Zhang, H., Goldstein, K., Zimmer, S., Grosklos, G., Belmont, P., Flint, C., Givens, J., Brunson, M.W, Adler, P., Smith, J., (2020). Impacts of climate change on the management of multiple uses of BLM land in the IMW. Hydroshare *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Technical Reports
Research Reports
- Hoffmann, S., Brunson, M.W, Olsen, S., (2010). A field guide to stakeholder groups for Great Basin sagebrush steppe restoration. *
- Shindler, B., Gordon, R., Brunson, M.W, (2007). Public priorities for rangeland management: A regional survey of citizens in the Great Basin. Logan, UT: SageSTEP.
- Brunson, M.W, (2000). Visitor Experiences and Resource Protection at Antelope Island State Park. Prof. Report 2000-5 *
- Brunson, M.W, (1994). Mail survey of natural resource issues on public lands in the West: Results from a public survey. Report prepared for the Eastside Ecosystem Management Team *
Other Reports
- Pyke, D.A, Chambers, J.C, Pellant, M., Miller, R.F, Beck, J.L, Doescher, P.S, Roundy, B.A, Schupp, E.W, Knick, S.T, Brunson, M.W, McIver, J.D, (2017). Restoration Handbook for Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems with Emphasis on Great Sage-Grouse Habitat--Part 3. Site Level Restoration Decisions. US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
- Pyke, D.A, Knick, S.T, Chambers, J.C, Pellant, M., Miller, R.F, Beck, J.L, Doescher, P.S, Schupp, E.W, Roundy, B.A, Brunson, M.W, McIver, J.D, (2015). Restoration handbook for sagebrush steppe ecosystems with emphasis on greater sage-grouse habitat—Part 2. Landscape level restoration decisions. US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
- Pyke, D.A, Chambers, J.C, Pellant, M., Knick, S.T, Miller, R.F, Beck, J.L, Doescher, P.S, Schupp, E.W, Roundy, B.A, Brunson, M.W, McIver, J.D, (2015). Restoration Handbook for Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems with Emphasis on Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat - Part 1. Concepts for Understanding and Applying Restoration. US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
- Hoffmann, S., Brunson, M.W, (2013). Monitoring Road Dust Emission and Related Dust Effects in National Parks. *
- McCollum, D.W, Swanson, L.E, Tanaka, J.A, Brunson, M.W, Harp, A.J, Torell, L., Heintz, H., (2012). Criterion IV: Social and economic indicators of rangeland sustainability. : Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Rangeland Management.. University of Wyoming Extension
- McIver, J., Brunson, M.W, Bunting, S., Chambers, J., Devoe, N., Doescher, P., Grace, J., Johnson, D., Knick, S., Miller, R., Pellant, M., Pierson, F., Pyke, D., Rollins, K., Roundy, B., Schupp, E.W, Tausch, R., Turner, D., (2010). The Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Program (SageSTEP) : A Test of State-and-Transition Theory. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.
Publications | Other
Magazine/Trade Publications
Newsletter
- Brunson, M.W, (2014). Improving public support for restoration plans: A matter of trust. SageSTEP News *
Other
- Schelhas, J., Alexander, J., Brunson, M.W, Cabe, T., Crall, A., Dockry, M., Emery, M., Frankel, S.J, Hapner, N., Hickman, C.R, Jordan, R., Lavoie, M.J, Ma, Z., Meentemeyer, R., Starinchak, J., Vukomanovic, J., (2021). Social and cultural dynamics of non-native invasive species: Invasive Species in Forests and Grasslands of the United States: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis for the United States Forest Sector. Springer Verlag
- Hunt, S., Olsen, S.C, Brunson, M.W, (2011). Guide to legal and institutional resources for restoration and management of Great Basin rangelands. Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) *
- Brunson, M.W, (2009). Social Acceptability of Conifer Control and Sagebrush Restoration in the Northern Rocky Mountain Region. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Environment and Society, Utah State University, Logan, UT. *
- Brunson, M.W, (2008). Gauging the acceptability of fuels management: A matter of trust. Rural Connections *
- Brunson, M.W, Huntsinger, L., (2007). Rancher demographics, socioeconomic pressures, and the challenge of meeting conservation goals. Quivira Coalition Journal *
- Brunson, M.W, (2005). Information Sources, Willingness to Volunteer, and Attitudes toward Invasive Plants in the Southwestern United States. M.S., Forestry *
- Brunson, M.W, (2005). Learning and Adoption of Range Management Innovations among Ranchers in West-Central Colorado. M.S., Range Science *
An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.