Research

Species Recovery in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique

I am working with Rob Pringle at Princeton University to study species recovery in Gorongosa National Park (GNP). Following a 15-year civil conflict, many of Gorongosa's large animal populations were reduced by >90%. Many species are recovering, but at present, a large discrepancy remains between the present and past composition of large herbivore species in GNP. We are examining large herbivore diets via metabarcoding to unravel the relationship among diet quality and diet diversity across the grazer-browser continuum and compare diet quality (digestibility, protein, and minerals) among large herbivores to better understand differences in the rate of species recovery.

Moose Survival and Landscape Change in British Columbia

I am working with Mike Gillingham at the University of Northern British Columbia and Provincial biologists to evaluate the effects of mountain pine beetle outbreaks and salvage logging on moose (Alces alces) survival under a competing risks framework in British Columbia. We are interested in understanding how landscape changes alter risk from gray wolves (Canis lupus) and human hunters, while also considering the influence of landscape change on moose behavior as it pertains to thermal refugia.

Boreal Woodland Caribou Population Modeling

I worked with Chris Johnson and Martin-Hughes St-Laurent to develop a population model for boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Boreal caribou are federally listed as threatened across their range largely as a result of resource development. Recovery options are logistically difficult and expensive. We developed a modeling tool for managers to evaluate the viability and cost of recovery options for their populations.

Predation Risk for Boreal Woodland Caribou in British Columbia

I worked with Mike Gillingham, Kathy Parker, and Chris Johnson at the University of Northern British Columbia and Megan Watters of the Ministry of Environment, British Columbia to evaluate mechanisms leading to increased predation risk for boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) from gray wolves (Canis lupus) in northeast British Columbia. The exacerbation of apparent competition between boreal caribou and moose (Alces alces) via anthropogenic disturbance is the most-cited mechanism leading to boreal caribou population declines, but research also demonstrates that wolves select for roads and seismic lines, which might increase risk to caribou by increasing spatial overlap with wolves. We evaluated support for changes in apparent competition, both as a result of numeric changes in moose density and spatial changes in moose distributions, while also considering the direct effect of roads and seismic lines on wolf distributions.

Mesocarnivore Release in Alaska

I worked with Kelly Sivy, Casey Pozzanghera, and Laura Prugh at the University of Washington to explore the consequences of interspecific interactions on carnivore diet and density. We evaluated the cascading effects of gray wolf (Canis lupus) removal on diet partitioning between coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and used spatial capture-recapture models to estimate changes in coyote and red fox densities.

Woodland Caribou-Predator Interactions in Newfoundland

I worked with researchers in Newfoundland and academic researchers across the US and Canada to evaluate caribou-predator interactions in Newfoundland. Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in Newfoundland declined >66% since 1998. High calf mortality from black bears (Ursus amercanus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are the proximate cause of decline. We explored differences in the patterns of predation between black bears and coyotes toward a better understanding of the compensatory and additive effects of predation on calf survival and population growth.