Scott Miller

Scott Miller serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University, where his research integrates field ecology with applied watershed management. His work addresses critical human-ecosystem interactions through long-term monitoring of aquatic systems across the Intermountain West.

Research interests emphasize:

• Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics: Mechanisms linking hydrological alteration (e.g., irrigation, hydropower) to macroinvertebrate drift, fish behavior, and nutrient cycling
• Disturbance Ecology: Quantifying resilience thresholds in streams facing grazing, water abstraction, and multi-stressor impacts
• Monitoring Innovation: Developing protocols for National Park Service and BLM AIM programs using biological traits and causal modeling

Publication analysis (2012-2020) reveals consistent focus on anthropogenic impacts: 73% examine water management effects on invertebrates/fish, 20% develop monitoring frameworks, and 7% address wind erosion. Key methodological signatures include multi-scale habitat modeling, taxonomic enumeration protocols, and experimental exclosures for riparian restoration. His work bridges fundamental stream ecology with actionable conservation strategies for federal land managers.