Understanding Leopards in Bhutan
The common leopard subspecies, Panthera pardus fusca, despite its large range and generalist behavior, is facing significant threats such as habitat fragmentation, poaching, illegal trade, and human-induced mortality. In Bhutan, leopards share the same conservation status as tigers and snow leopards but have received considerably less attention. There is still a lack of information on leopard abundance and distribution in Bhutan's montane landscape, impeding our understanding of their status, ecology, and potential for human conflict. Our work aims to assess how habitat characteristics, prey density, anthropogenic disturbance, and the recovery of a dominant competitor impact leopard density and distribution. The findings will help us in evidence-based conservation efforts to ensure equitable opportunities to safeguard this often "beloved but ignored" leopard species
Pinyon Jay Mapping & Management
Pinyon Jays have declined by 83.5% prompting recent consideration for federal listing on the Endangered Species Act. While the cause of their decline is unknown, management to reduce the extent and density of their primary habitat, piñon-juniper woodlands, is common throughout their range to improve habitat for other wildlife species, increase diversity, improve grazing, and reduce wildlife risk. While these actions are important for managing healthy ecosystems, they may have adverse impacts on Pinyon Jay populations, particularly when situated in critical nesting or foraging habitat. We are working to identify Pinyon Jay nesting colonies, associated habitats, and responses to management activities to help balance these management needs with those of Pinyon Jays.
Great Plains Otter Project
Once thought to be gone from South Dakota, river otters have now been spotted in many streams and waterbodies across the state; a result of successful reintroduction efforts by the Santee Sioux in the 1990s. Yet, we still know little about their populations and habitat needs. Such information is critical for ensuring their recovery continues.
We are taking steps and working to learn where these fascinating animals occur in our state and what exactly makes good river otter habitat in South Dakota. |
The Wood Rabbit Project
The New York Mammal Survey
The New York Mammal Survey (NYMS) is a highly collaborative effort that seeks to assess and monitor distributions and status of all New York's upland mammals in response to historic and present day landscape, environmental, and climatic changes. The project pulls from historic literature, museum records, contributed datasets, and statewide surveys for unrepresented taxa to track and monitor populations.
Canid Camera
Young forests in the Northeastern United States have been on the decline for several decades to the detriment of the hundreds of species that rely on these forests. The natural processes that once created these forests no longer operate at large scales, and, today, most young forests are anthropologically created using a wide range of techniques that mimic natural disturbances. Unfortunately, public support for young forest creation has been underwhelming and stigmatized, further hindering habitat recovery efforts. Canid Camera uses trail cameras and the power of community science to engage and inform the public of the biology and diversity in these forests while assessing wildlife responses to different types of young forest management, with the goal of informing managers of the most effective management methods for creating healthy vibrant young forests.
Applying the Science
Conservation recommendations are only effective when applied. I have had the great pleasure of working with private landowners, non-profits, and state land managers to write habitat management prescriptions which have been implemented across the Lower Hudson Valley. I am also engaged in collaborative multi-state, inter-agency working groups for monitoring and managing wildlife populations in the Northeast.
|
Niche Shifts and Population Collapse
Eastern spotted skunks experienced dramatic declines in the early-mid 1900s and while the cause of the decline is unknown, collapse of a key food source has been proposed as a contributing factor. I addressed this question during my MS using stable isotope analysis on hairs from collected eastern spotted and striped skunks (1890 - present day) housed in museum collections across the country alongside landscape analyses and agricultural census records.