A5079907256- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Plant and animal studies
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Advanced Vision and Imaging
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Robotic Path Planning Algorithms
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Robotics and Sensor-Based Localization
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
Southeast Missouri State University
2020-2023
University of Wisconsin–Madison
2018-2022
University of Jos
2013-2022
Oklahoma State University
2014-2020
Abstract The likelihood of encountering a predator influences prey behavior and spatial distribution such that non‐consumptive effects can outweigh the influence direct predation. Prey species are thought to filter information on perceived encounter rates in physical landscapes into landscape fear defined by spatially explicit heterogeneity predation risk. presence multiple predators using different hunting strategies further complicates navigation through potentially exposes greater risk...
Summary The scope and scale of wildlife crimes around the world have risen in intensity complexity, yet current enforcement strategies often not delivered desired effects on illegal activities, even within protected areas. Tackling array activities by emphasizing law above other options is challenging potentially unsustainable. We explored potential for social norms, community regulations socioeconomic factors to promote compliance with laws interviewing 334 respondents 28 villages that...
Abstract Sympatric predators are predicted to partition resources, especially under conditions of food limitation. Spatial heterogeneity that influences prey availability might play an important role in the scales at which potential competitors select habitat. We assessed mechanisms for coexistence by examining resource partitioning between sympatric raptors overwintering southern Great Plains. conducted surveys wintering Red‐tailed hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) and Northern Harrier Circus...
Extraction of oil and natural gas is an emerging source anthropogenic disturbance that threatens wild populations important wildlife habitats. We compared daily nest survival estimates killdeer Charadrius vociferous at graveled pads to those nested on native grass cover in western Oklahoma, USA 2015 2017. conducted weekly searches for nesting around pastures (grass cover) the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area April–June. Killdeer showed a strong selection pad over fields with 64% all...
Most of our understanding territorial behaviour in birds comes from studies temperate species. Territoriality and factors influencing territory size tropical are still poorly studied. In this study, 11 territories the Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi were measured Amurum Forest Reserve adjoining farmlands. Factors habitat choice species also Territory sizes ranged 0.1–0.3 ha with a mean 0.19 ± 0.1ha. decreased increasing food abundance increased tree height number saplings....
Abstract The dependence of forest communities on bushmeat as a source protein and income is challenge to wildlife conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the use caves overhanging rocks hunting camps consequences for breeding grey-necked picathartes Picathartes oreas forests Cross River south-east Nigeria. recorded 84 nesting colonies during guided random searches. found 14 (16.7%) sites that had been used camps, with evidence including fire stands, sleeping spots, cooking...
The Grey-necked Picathartes oreas is a globally threatened bird species in Africa with wild population of less than 10,000 individuals. Nigerian population, which has been poorly studied, restricted to the forest Cross River. This study re-assessed distribution, breeding habitat use and current threats by revisiting 91 sites identified during first only survey 1987. We estimated 164 individuals across 82 sites. Only 72 were found localities where had registered Thirteen (18%) these no longer...
Abstract Landscape function is largely determined by landscape structure. Evidence suggests that heterogeneity often benefits generalists over sympatric specialists. The scale at which animals perceive likely varies across species and could play an important role in determining the assemblages supported different landscapes. In this study, we investigated relative importance of structuring raptor mixed‐grass prairie. We compared niche breadth overlap 14 two landscapes differed heterogeneity....
Territory quality shapes population dynamics and has conservation implications for territorial species. Yet, quantifying territory using different measures can yield conflicting results, particularly if selection is non-ideal, thus challenging the understanding of quality. We used a 25-year study spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) occupying 72 territories to evaluate five commonly demographic- occupancy-based quality: occupancy rate, annual apparent survival fitness, mean reproductive total...
Selecting nest sites that provide access to resources and reduce predation risk is crucial maximizing fitness in breeding birds. Therefore, understanding what habitat features influence site selection success a key component of avian conservation because it allows for identification protection will promote population growth. We examined drivers Gosling's Bunting (Emberiza goslingi) by evaluating variables choice survival at 23 nests an equal number random, paired, non-nesting locations...
Summary Understanding the distribution and extent of suitable habitats is critical for conservation endangered endemic taxa. Such knowledge limited many Central African species, including rare globally threatened Grey-necked Picathartes oreas , one only two species in family Picathartidae to forests Africa. Despite growing concerns about land-use change resulting fragmentation loss forest cover region, neither habitat nor potential species’ well known. We combine 339 (new historical)...
Abstract Background Fire is a key disturbance measure that drives community dynamics and ecosystem function. While natural resource managers have increasingly relied on fire as management tool to conserve biodiversity in fire-prone systems, gaps remain our understanding of how frequencies return intervals drive habitat selection species persistence tropical savannas. Here, we evaluated the mechanisms through which fire-created variability mediates Sudan savanna landscape. Using data from...