Ecology and Conservation of Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Species designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are those which are experiencing population declines or inherently rare. Our research identifies those intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with the occurrence, persistence or decline of these species across their range in Texas. These questions are addressed in through the lens of their life histories, habitat and other resource requirements, and identification of anthropogenic stressors correlated with their declines. Current research efforts on Texas SGCN include Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), and Blackspot Shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis).
Community Ecology and Conservation of Species with Complex Life Cycles
More than 80% of animals have a complex life cycle where they undergo distinct changes in their ecology and morphology during ontogeny. The anuran life cycle is generally characterized by an aquatic larva that metamorphoses into a carnivorous, terrestrial adults. Because each life stage is so distinctive in its ecology, and occupy different habitats the degree to which abiotic and biotic factors affect community structure differ for each life stage. Knowledge on each life stage’s distinctive habitat requirements is the critical foundation for conservation and management efforts. This aspect of my research program focuses on understanding how trade-offs within one life stage can have carry-over effects in the subsequent life stage and can scale up to influence community organization.
Functional Perspectives on Community Ecology and Conservation
Functional traits are linked to an organism’s performance and understanding patterns and dynamics of functional traits of community members can provide insight to underlying assembly processes. Results from this research can be extended to understand the strength of species’ interactions, species loss or persistence in response to disturbances, community organization across scales, and the impact of non-native species on recipient assemblages. In turn, these results can help inform management and conservation strategies.
Road Ecology
Approximately 83% of the total area of the United States is within 1 km of a road. Roads inhibit movement and expose animals to traffic collisions as well as alter assemblage composition. My objective is to examine the extrinsic (landscape attributes) and intrinsic (species traits) factors that cause vulnerabilities to road mortality as well as hindrance of other important processes, such as movement/dispersal. I have a long-standing interest in predicting species vulnerability to road mortality and in turn, using this information to design effective mitigation strategies to reduce exposure to vehicles while still maintaining population connectivity.
I have begun a project on iNaturalist to enhance our understanding on the impacts of roads on the animals of Texas and to understand the patterns and vulnerabilities among different groups of animals. This information can help prevent loss of wildlife and make roadways safer. Roadkill observations can be uploaded to the project page here.
I have begun a project on iNaturalist to enhance our understanding on the impacts of roads on the animals of Texas and to understand the patterns and vulnerabilities among different groups of animals. This information can help prevent loss of wildlife and make roadways safer. Roadkill observations can be uploaded to the project page here.