A5005067139- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Plant and animal studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Coastal and Marine Dynamics
- Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Climate variability and models
- Urban Heat Island Mitigation
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
United States Geological Survey
2021-2025
Virginia Tech
2022-2025
Georgia Southern University
2019-2022
Center for Coastal Studies
2022
University of Nevada, Reno
2017-2018
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
2017-2018
University of Georgia
2013-2017
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
2012-2013
State University of New York
2012-2013
York University
2012-2013
Restoration of extirpated species via captive breeding has typically relied on population viability as the primary criterion for evaluating success. This is inadequate when reintroduction undertaken to restore ecological functions and interactions. Herein we report demographic outcomes a five-decade-long restoration program critically endangered "ecosystem engineer": endemic Española giant Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis). Our analysis complementary datasets demography movement,...
Abstract Loss of key plant–animal interactions (e.g., disturbance, seed dispersal, and herbivory) due to extinctions large herbivores has diminished ecosystem functioning nearly worldwide. Mitigating for the ecological consequences herbivore losses through use replacements fill extinct species’ niches thereby replicate missing functions been proposed. It is unknown how different morphologically ecologically a replacement can be from species still provide similar functions. We studied niche...
Abstract The social structure of translocated animal populations can have important effects on the survival and reproduction individuals for both solitary species. gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) is a reptile conservation concern that currently experiencing high levels mitigation translocation in Florida, USA. Individuals live aggregations burrows with frequent agonistic, courtship, burrow‐sharing interactions between residents. Given exposure to many unfamiliar may increase...
Abstract Multispecies management can contribute to meeting growing challenges of preserving biodiversity, yet current game and threatened species often focuses on individual species. Satellite imagery available at high spatial temporal resolution provides a potential tool overcome the challenge posed by multispecies linking patterns habitat use among We sought determine whether satellite could be used describe occupancy inform in pine savannas Georgia, USA. conducted point-count surveys 7...
Ecosystem specialists are predicted to be more vulnerable global change than generalists, but whether within an ecosystem will respond similarly those changes is often largely unknown. Will track in their habitats as a group, or distributions governed by landscape gradients that make some species sensitive habitat changes? In this study, we forecasted the effects of sea level rise (SLR) on two salt marsh specialist bird species: clapper rails Rallus crepitans and seaside sparrows Ammodramus...
Abstract Loss of native herbivores and introduction livestock in many arid semi‐arid ecosystems around the world has shifted competitive balance from herbaceous to woody plants, leading biodiversity loss, reduced plant productivity, soil erosion. To restore functions these ecosystems, ecological replacements have been proposed as substitutes for extinct herbivores. Here we predict how an replacement giant tortoise population ( Chelonoidis spp.) would interact with plants on Pinta Island...
Species are being lost at an unprecedented rate due to human-driven environmental changes. The cases in which species declared extinct can be revived rare. However, here we report that a remote volcano the Galápagos Islands hosts many giant tortoises with high ancestry from previously as extinct: Chelonoidis elephantopus or Floreana tortoise. Of 150 individuals distinctive morphology sampled volcano, genetic analyses revealed 65 had C. and thirty-two were translocated volcano's slopes...
Prairie dogs ( Cynomys spp.) are important ecosystem engineers in North America's central grasslands, and a key prey base for numerous predators. have declined dramatically across their former range, prompting reintroduction efforts to restore populations functions, but the success of these reintroductions is rarely monitored rigorously. Here, we reintroduced 2,400 Gunnison's prairie C. gunnisoni ) over period 6 years Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, U.S.A., semi‐arid...
Hybridization poses a major challenge for species conservation because it threatens both genetic integrity and adaptive potential. Yet, hybridization can occasionally offer unprecedented opportunity recovery if the genome of an extinct taxon is present among living hybrids such that selective breeding could recapture it. We explored design elements establishing captive-breeding program Galapagos tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.) built around individuals with admixed ancestry involving species....
ABSTRACT Long‐term datasets are required to understand the response of long‐lived organisms (e.g., gopher tortoises [ Gopherus polyphemus ]) management actions, such as prescribed burns. Our objective was estimate effects burning on tortoise population dynamics over decadal time frames at Fort Stewart Army Reserve, southeastern Georgia, USA. We captured and marked adult from 1994–2020. In addition, since early 1990s, managers collected spatial records burns; thus, we could compare demography...
Abstract Mitigation translocations move wildlife from specific areas due to conflict with humans over land use at the site. A critical decision when carrying out mitigation translocation is acceptable distance across which animals can be moved. This trades off logistical expediency of unrestricted risk reducing success environmental mismatch between origin and site conditions. In this study, we used a large dataset 502 individually identifiable carcasses examine role geographic in relative...
Abstract Human‐mediated animal movement can expose wildlife populations to novel environments. Phenotypic plasticity buffer against the challenges presented by environments, while adaptation local ecosystems may limit resilience in ecosystems. Outbreeding depression during mixing of disparate gene pools also reduce reproductive success after long‐distance movement. Here, we use a ‘common‐garden’ population gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ), translocated from numerous sites across...
Abstract Species distribution models have been applied across a wide range of spatial scales to generate information for conservation planning. Understanding how well transfer through space and time is important promote effective species–habitat conservation. Here, we assess model transferability in coastal tidal marshes the southeastern United States using count data widespread marsh bird: Clapper Rail ( Rallus crepitans ). We developed at state level both South Carolina Georgia, then...
Abstract Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to global health and biodiversity. Yet, predicting the spatiotemporal dynamics of wildlife epizootics remains challenging. Disease outbreaks result from complex nonlinear interactions among large collection variables that rarely adhere assumptions parametric regression modeling. We adopted nonparametric machine learning approach model population recovery, using disease system colonial black‐tailed prairie dogs (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus...
Accelerating sea level rise (SLR) is likely to cause considerable changes estuarine and other coastal wetlands. Efforts forecast the effects of SLR on wetland vegetation communities should be useful in making predictions for individual species that depend upon those communities. However, uncertainty exists when predicting a chain events passes from global climate local implications single species. One component this classification resolution used by landscape change models such as Sea Level...
Range expansion and contraction are among the most common biotic responses to changing environmental conditions, yet much is be learned about mechanisms that underlie range-edge population dynamics, especially when those areas points of secondary contact between closely related species. Here, we present field-measured parentage data document reproductive outcomes changes in mate availability at a zone two species woodrat genus Neotoma. Changes resulted from drought-driven differential...
Sea-level rise (SLR) threatens the nesting success of salt marsh breeding birds, including Seaside Sparrows (Ammodramus maritimus), by increasing magnitude and frequency extreme high tides that flood nests. However, threat to from tidal flooding is intertwined with predation because threats are connected through a trade-off along nest height gradient. Therefore, understand risk SLR, it necessary consider simultaneously. I used an individual-based model Sparrow behavior, calibrated using...
As sea levels rise, birds nesting in coastal marshes will be particularly vulnerable to increased tidal inundation. Understanding how marsh select their habitat along the elevational gradient of these provide insight into species might affected by rising levels. Clapper Rails (Rallus crepitans) are marsh-nesting whose nests flooding, but it is not clear if they for or only use other cues. Our objective was determine higher-elevation nest sites, while also controlling selection variables at...
Abstract Conservation translocation projects must carefully balance multiple, potentially competing objectives (e.g. population viability, retention of genetic diversity, delivery key ecological services) against conflicting stakeholder values and severe time cost constraints. Advanced decision support tools would facilitate identifying practical solutions. We examined how to achieve compromise across in conservation translocations via an examination giant tortoises the Galapagos Islands...