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Research Interests:
Current research in my lab spans the disciplines of
ecology, evolution, behavior and conservation biology, and diverse taxa
including birds, small mammals, and herpetofauna.
My main focus is understanding the processes and
factors that influence wildlife-habitat relationships.� I am particularly interested in
understanding why organisms select particular habitats and under what
contexts such choices are adaptive. My philosophy is that effective
conservation and management strategies require careful study about what
constitutes actual habitat quality
for species of interest at multiple scales.� My research has also focused on habitat
fragmentation, broad-scale life history patterns, and parental care
strategies.
My position as the Assistant Unit Leader of the USGS
Wyoming Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit necessitates that I
develop research projects in close cooperation with the Wyoming Game
& Fish Department and other agencies in order to address critical
research needs of non-game wildlife species within the state. All graduate
student projects in my lab therefore have both applied and conceptual
components that are well-suited for students interested in learning to
conduct rigorous scientific research that simulateously addresses
real-world wildlife conservation issues.
Current
Projects:
� Effects of wind power development
on mixed-grass prairie avifauna (with MS student Anika Mahoney)
�
Response of greater sage-grouse to habitat enhancement
treatments in Wyoming (with Dr. Jeff Beck and Ph.D. student Kurt Smith)
�
Mechanisms underlying energy development effects on songbirds
(with MS student Matthew Hethcoat)
�
Raptor nest occupancy in relation to coal-bed methane
development (with Dr. Ken Gerow)
�
Influence of human disturbance along a
transportation corridor on sagebrush songbirds in Grand Teton National
Park
� Avian and small mammal
responses to the mountain pine beetle epidemic in Wyoming Lodgepole (with MS student Joslin Heyward)
� Habitat and climate
influences on American pika populations in
Wyoming (with Dr. Dan Doak and MS student Leah Yandow)
� The greater sage-grouse as
a potential umbrella species for the conservation and management of
non-game sagebrush wildlife species (with Ph.D. student Jason Carlisle)
Publications ��
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