Much of the research in our lab is on the ecology of carnivores, with particular emphasis on kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis). We have two ongoing projects studying the behavioral response of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (V. m. mutica) to anthropogenic stimuli (artificial light at night, artificial dens) in Bakersfield and surround natural habitats. 

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 classifier model, to help process batches of camera pictures into animal and non-animal folders. We are currently incorporating SpeciesNet, another AI classifier model to classify pictures of wildlife species.

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 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.