Much of the research in our lab is on the ecology of carnivores, with particular emphasis on kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis). In collaboration with the Endangered Species Recovery Program, we are studying the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (V. m. mutica) in Bakersfield and the Carrizo Plains as well as the desert kit fox (V. m. arsipus) in the Mojave Desert. Specifically, we are:

• Monitoring general trends of presence/absence and activity of urban San Joaquin kit foxes across more than 20 school campuses (university, community college, and high school).

• Establishing an early warning system to detect sarcoptic mange in urban foxes, which is a skin disease that can be lethal to foxes. 

• Determining the degree to which kit foxes compete with urban and wild carnivores (e.g., cats, dogs, coyotes, etc.) over space and time.

This research is multifaceted and spans different species of wildlife at water sources in the western US. See below for specific studies in progress.

• Optimal camera sampling designs to determine species diversity of wildlife communities at desert water sources.

• Influence of lunar illumination on the use of water sources by species of mammalian predator and prey in an arid environment.

• Influence of habitat characteristics on the use of water by feral horses (Equus caballus).

• Predator-prey interactions at man-made and natural water sources in the Tehachapi Mountains.

• Comparison of desert toad presence at man-made and natural water sources in the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts.

This project is focused on further developing the relatively small literature base on the endangered Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus). We are investigating the influence of abiotic environmental factors and the presence of other species on the activity of shrews in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

The purpose of this research is to determine if different habitat treatments can be used to restore populations of the San Joaquin Valley giant flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas trochilus) in sand dune ecosystems. We will be evaluating the effects of habitat treatments on fly behavior as well as the abundance and diversity of their invertebrate prey.

The purpose of this interdisciplinary research project is to determine if an increase of rocket launches/landings affects threatened and endangered species at Vandenberg Space Force Base along the California Central Coast. Our team, which is composed of researchers from CSUB Biology and BYU Acoustics, has been recording rocket launch noise and will be pairing that with behavioral data from the California least tern (Sternula antillarum browni) and western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). 

This purpose of this research is to help us speed up our ability to process large amounts of camera trap data. We have been using MegaDetector, an AI model, to help process batches of camera pictures into animal and non-animal folders. We are currently training a different AI model to classify pictures of wildlife species in the urban environment.