A5035505900- Mercury impact and mitigation studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Marine animal studies overview
- Heavy metals in environment
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Forest Management and Policy
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Diffusion and Search Dynamics
University of California, Santa Cruz
2015-2025
National Park Service
2010
United States Geological Survey
2010
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
2010
Endangered species recovery programs seek to restore populations self-sustaining levels. Nonetheless, many recovering require continuing management compensate for persistent threats in their environment. Judging true the face of this is often difficult, impeding thorough analysis success conservation programs. We illustrate these challenges with a multidisciplinary study one world’s rarest birds—the California condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ). condors were brought brink extinction, part,...
We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception reintroduction program 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment self-sustaining populations wild. A total 135 deaths occurred October (the first post-release death) 2009, a maximum population-at-risk 352 birds, for cumulative crude rate 38%. definitive cause was determined 76 98 submitted cases, 70% (53/76)...
Lead poisoning occurs worldwide in populations of predatory birds, but exposure rates and population impacts are known only from regional studies. We evaluated the lead 1210 bald golden eagles 38 US states across North America, including 620 live eagles. detected unexpectedly high frequencies eagles, both chronic (46 to 47% as measured bone) acute (27 33% 7 35% liver, blood, feathers). Frequency was influenced by age and, for region season. Continent-wide demographic modeling suggests that...
Leadership is a critical tool for expanding the influence of conservation science, but recent advances in leadership concepts and practice remain underutilized by scientists. Furthermore, an explicit conceptual foundation definition science are not available literature. Here we drew on our diverse experiences, reading literature, discussions with selected leaders to define conservation-science leadership, summarize exploratory set principles that applicable recommend actions expand capacity...
Lead poisoning is a primary factor impeding the survival and recovery of critically endangered California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). However, frequency magnitude lead exposure in condors not well-known part because most blood monitoring occurs biannually, biannual samples capture only ∼10% bird's annual history. We investigated use growing feathers from free-flying to establish show that concentration stable isotopic composition analyses sequential feather sections concurrently...
Lead exposure is a concern in urban ecosystems, with physiological and behavioral effects well documented humans. Wildlife inhabiting ecosystems are also exposed to lead, yet little work has the sublethal of lead wildlife. We studied northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) three neighborhoods New Orleans, Louisiana, two high soil one low better understand how may influence mockingbirds' reproductive biology. monitored nesting attempts, measured concentrations blood feathers nestling...
Procellariiform seabirds are known to have high rates of plastic ingestion. We investigated the bioaccessibility plastic-associated chemicals [plastic additives and sorbed persistent organic pollutants (POPs)] leached from over time using an in vitro gastric model. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) polyvinyl chloride (PVC), commonly ingested by seabirds, were manufactured with one additive [decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) or bisphenol S (BPS)]. HDPE PVC added PBDE-209 additionally...
The sources and risk factors for lead exposure to humans are relatively well recognized, yet much less is known about risks effects wildlife. Here we utilized isotopic fingerprinting investigate of elevated Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) chicks in the Midway Island National Wildlife Refuge, which was established on site a decom missioned military base that previously had undergone remediation. Whole blood from as soil paint chips chicks' nests were collected birds nesting close...
Recent concern about negative effects on human health from elevated organochlorine and mercury concentrations in marine foods has highlighted the need to understand temporal spatial patterns of pollution. Seabirds, long-lived pelagic predators with wide foraging ranges, can be used as indicators regional contaminant across large scales. Here we evaluate levels, carbon nitrogen stable isotope ratios, satellite telemetry data two sympatrically breeding North Pacific albatross species...
Abstract Predicting population‐level effects from changes in demographic rates of different life stages is critical to prioritize conservation efforts. Demographic modeling and sensitivity analysis particular, has become a standard tool evaluate how management actions influence species' survival. analyses have resulted the robust generalization that, for long‐lived species with delayed reproduction, population growth will be most sensitive survivorship older‐aged individuals. Although useful...
Environmental pollution is ubiquitous and can pose a significant threat to wild populations through declines in fitness population numbers. To elucidate the impact of marine on pelagic species, we assessed whether toxic contaminants accumulated black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), wide-ranging North Pacific predator, are correlated with altered physiological function. Blood samples from adult albatrosses Midway Atoll, part Hawaiian (USA) archipelago, were analyzed for...
Conservationists are continually seeking new strategies to reverse population declines and safeguard against species extinctions. Here we evaluate the potential efficacy of a recently proposed approach offset major anthropogenic threat many marine vertebrates: incidental bycatch in commercial fisheries operations. This approach, compensatory mitigation for (CMMB), is conceived as way replace or reduce mandated restrictions on fishing activities with (e.g., removal introduced predators from...
Stable-isotope ratios of carbon (13C/12C; δ13C) and nitrogen (15N/14N; δ15N) in animal tissues are analyzed to estimate foraging ecology because these reflect those an animal's diet. This reflection is generally indirect, as stable-isotope change with trophic level. These differences, called discrimination factors (reported Δ), vary considerably by species tissue. Variations used stableisotope mixing models can lead inaccurate estimates diets. Therefore, determining accurate specific tissue...
The critically endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) has relied intermittently on dead-stranded marine mammals since the Pleistocene, and this food source is considered important for their current recovery. However, contemporary contain persistent organic pollutants that could threaten health. We used stable carbon nitrogen isotope, contaminant, behavioral data in coastal versus noncoastal condors to quantify contaminant transfer from created simulation models predict risk...