Chris Calvo
Biologist/Spatial Analyst>
Chris Calvo earned a BS in Environmental Sciences/Biology (2005), and an MS in Applied Geospatial Science (2014) from Northern Arizona University. His Master’s thesis research focused on modeling potential restoration areas to create habitat for the federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher along the Virgin River in Arizona and Nevada and was funded by the Arizona Water Protection Program.
Previous to jumping headfirst into the world of spatial analysis and cartography, Chris was a full time field biologist, working in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and California, specializing in riparian ecology and riparian wildlife biology. He focused specifically on Yellow-billed Cuckoo population numbers, breeding range and habitat micro-climate, and Common Blackhawk population numbers and breeding success. He also worked on projects involving the Mexican Spotted Owl, Grey Hawks, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers, the spread of the non-native tamarisk leaf beetle, riparian habitat structure, riparian herpetology and water quality.
Of late, Chris has been fortunate enough to be creating maps, models, R scripts and performing spatial analysis/database management for organizations like the Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network (NPS), Southwest Biological Research Center (USGS), Colorado Plateau Native Plant Initiative (BLM), Gartersnake Research Project (NAU), Tamarisk Coalition, Arizona Audubon Society, Arizona State Forestry Division and Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Program, US Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Utah Division of Natural Resources.
Along with his research, Chris has a passion for outreach with the public. He hosts and produces a science radio show called This is the Colorado Plateau that airs on KSZN 101.5 FM, the community radio station in Flagstaff, AZ.
Sample of Technical and Agency Reports
Calvo, C. and M.J. Johnson. 2015. Assessing Riparian Restoration for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers along the Lower Virgin River Watershed in Northwestern Arizona. Report submitted to the Arizona State Foresters and the Tamarisk Coalition.
Leatherman, L., T. Wood, B. Butterfield, K. Doherty, C. Calvo, A. Pilmanis. Combining species distribution and predicted disturbance to select native plant species for restoration use. Report submitted to USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.
Johnson, M. J, and C. Calvo. Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Survey Effort in Arizona, Migration patterns and Impacts from 2011 to 2013 along the Colorado and Salt Rivers and Tonto Creek. Report submitted to Arizona Water Protection Fund.
Door S., M.J. Johnson, J. Holmes and C. Calvo. Changes in Abundance of Gray Hawks on the San Pedro River, AZ over 13 Years. Report submitted to Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Johnson, M. J., J. Holmes and C. Calvo. Common Black-Hawk and Yellow-billed Cuckoo distribution and abundance in the upper reaches of Fossil Creek, AZ, Report submitted to US Forest Service and Arizona Public Service.
Johnson, M. J., J. A. Holmes, C. Calvo, I. Samuals, S. Krantz, and M. K. Sogge. Yellow-billed Cuckoo distribution, abundance and habitat use along the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers. Study under the Lower Colorado River, Multi-Conservation Plan. Report submitted to Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder City, NV.
Johnson, M. J., S. Durst, C. Calvo, L. Stewert, M. Sogge, G. Bland, and T. Ardel. Yellow-billed Cuckoo distribution, abundance and habitat use along the lower Colorado river and its tributaries. Study under the Lower Colorado River, Multi-Conservation Plan. Report submitted to Bureau of Reclamation, Boulder City, NV.
Holmes, J. A., C. Calvo, M. J. Johnson, and T. R. Arundel. Yellow-billed Cuckoo distribution, abundance, habitat use, and breeding ecology in the Verde River, AZ. Study under the Heritage Program, Grant I04006. Report submitted to Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Johnson, M. J., J. Holmes, C. Calvo, and E. Nelson. Yellow-billed Cuckoo winter range and habitat use in Central and South America through museum and literature documentation. Report submitted to T & E Inc, Gila, New Mexico.