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My research addresses broad themes in conservation biology related to species response to human-modified landscapes.
Which species are sensitive to habitat change?
Which species are sensitive to habitat change?
Mean effect sizes (and 95% CIs) for the effect of agriculture on amphibian and reptile total species richness. Figure adapted from Thompson et al. (2016)
Species' responses to habitat conversion are conserved in the amphibian phylogeny.The color gradient indicates effect sizes from the model; blue shades indicate species that were most abundant in natural habitats, green indicates species that were similarly abundant in natural and converted habitats, and yellow shades indicate species that were most abundant in converted habitats. Figure adapted from Nowakowski et al. (2018)
Habitat loss and degradation are primary threats to amphibians and reptiles. However, the mechanisms that underlie responses of herpetofauna to land-use change are not well understood. We conducted several meta-analyses to determine general trends in responses of amphibians and reptiles to land-use change, and to determine drivers of variation in response to land-use change. We found widespread negative effects of land-use change on species richness of herpetofauna, and that habitat associations of common species and species turnover can explain variation in the effect of land use on amphibians and reptiles. We have also found that strong phylogenetic clustering of species' responses to habitat conversion is contributing to the loss of global phylogenetic diversity. Forest-associated, narrowly distributed species with terrestrial larval habitats are most sensitive to habitat modification.
Habitat loss and degradation are primary threats to amphibians and reptiles. However, the mechanisms that underlie responses of herpetofauna to land-use change are not well understood. We conducted several meta-analyses to determine general trends in responses of amphibians and reptiles to land-use change, and to determine drivers of variation in response to land-use change. We found widespread negative effects of land-use change on species richness of herpetofauna, and that habitat associations of common species and species turnover can explain variation in the effect of land use on amphibians and reptiles. We have also found that strong phylogenetic clustering of species' responses to habitat conversion is contributing to the loss of global phylogenetic diversity. Forest-associated, narrowly distributed species with terrestrial larval habitats are most sensitive to habitat modification.
Relevant articles:
Nowakowski, A. J., L. O. Frishkoff, M. E. Thompson, T. M. Smith, and B. D. Todd. 2018. Phylogenetic homogenization of amphibian assemblages in human-altered habitats across the globe. PNAS 115:E3454-E3462
Nowakowski, A. J., M. E. Thompson, M. A. Donnelly, and B. D. Todd. 2017. Amphibian sensitivity to habitat loss is associated with population trends and species traits. Global Ecology and Biogeography 26:700-712. PDF
Thompson, M. E., A. J. Nowakowski, and M. A. Donnelly. 2016. The importance of defining focal assemblages when evaluating amphibian and reptile responses to land use. Conservation Biology 30:249-258. PDF
Rapid inventories
Rapid inventories
Ten sequential activities carried out as part of a rapid biological inventory and social assessment designed to facilitate protected area creation in Loreto, Peru. Figure adapted from Pitman et al. 2021.
Rapid inventories are expert surveys of the geology and species richness of high biodiversity areas, coupled with social assessments that identify the natural resource use, social organization, and aspirations of local residents. I form part of the multinational herpetology team to survey amphibians and reptiles on Field Museum rapid inventories in the Andes-Amazon region.
Rapid inventories are expert surveys of the geology and species richness of high biodiversity areas, coupled with social assessments that identify the natural resource use, social organization, and aspirations of local residents. I form part of the multinational herpetology team to survey amphibians and reptiles on Field Museum rapid inventories in the Andes-Amazon region.
Relevant articles:
Chávez, G., M. E. Thompson. D. A. Sánchez, J. C. Chávez-Arribasplata, and A. Catenazzi. 2021. A needle in a haystack: Integrative taxonomy reveals the existence of a new small species of fossorial frog (Anura, Microhylidae, Synapturanus) from the vast lower Putumayo basin, Peru. Evolutionary Systematics 6: 9–20. PDF.
Pitman, N.C.A., C. F. Vriesendorp, D. A. Reyes, D. K. Moskovits, N. Kotlinski, R. C. Smith, M. E. Thompson and 30+ more authors. 2021. Applied science facilitates the large-scale expansion of protected areas in an Amazonian hotspot. Science Advances 7: eabe2998. PDF
Thompson, M. E., R. Saporito, G.F. Medina-Rangel, D.H. Ruiz-Valderrama, M.A. Donnelly. A field-based survey for florescence in anurans. Herpetology Notes 12: 987−990.
Thompson, M. E., G. F. Medina-Rangel, and D. H. Ruiz-Valderrama. First record and massive range extension of Hyalinobatrachium cappellei (Van Lidth de Jeude, 1904) (Anura: Centrolenidae) in Colombia. Check List 14:945−949.
Learn more about Field Museum rapid biological and social inventories HERE
Learn more about Field Museum rapid biological and social inventories HERE
Resurveys
Resurveys
While initial “first time” surveys provide a wealth of information to both scientists and the general public resurveys have the ultimate power when it comes to quantifying or qualifying change over time at both the community and individual level of organismal diversity. The value of resurveys focused on the change from natural/undisturbed locations during the initial survey to present times when anthropogenic changes are expected is huge. However, resurveys that focus on urban/semi-urban sites or regions already somewhat developed during the initial survey have received less attention. These types of resurveys are likely to provide informative insights into whether organisms that were initially documented in already disturbed areas have been able to persevere or whether the continued use of such areas has caused local extirpations, and even if some organisms have thrived under anthropogenic influences. These surveys can illustrate just how much change may occur over shorter time scales and whether any efforts to conserve or restore habitats and species have had an effect.
While initial “first time” surveys provide a wealth of information to both scientists and the general public resurveys have the ultimate power when it comes to quantifying or qualifying change over time at both the community and individual level of organismal diversity. The value of resurveys focused on the change from natural/undisturbed locations during the initial survey to present times when anthropogenic changes are expected is huge. However, resurveys that focus on urban/semi-urban sites or regions already somewhat developed during the initial survey have received less attention. These types of resurveys are likely to provide informative insights into whether organisms that were initially documented in already disturbed areas have been able to persevere or whether the continued use of such areas has caused local extirpations, and even if some organisms have thrived under anthropogenic influences. These surveys can illustrate just how much change may occur over shorter time scales and whether any efforts to conserve or restore habitats and species have had an effect.
We (FMNH Curator of Herpetology, S. Ruane, and FMNH Conservation Ecologist, M. Thompson), are resurveying locations in Will County, IL to examine if, and how, amphibians and reptiles have survived, thrived, or been displaced in and around Chicagoland and if Forest Preserves have been effective in maintaining diversity in urban/rural areas.
We (FMNH Curator of Herpetology, S. Ruane, and FMNH Conservation Ecologist, M. Thompson), are resurveying locations in Will County, IL to examine if, and how, amphibians and reptiles have survived, thrived, or been displaced in and around Chicagoland and if Forest Preserves have been effective in maintaining diversity in urban/rural areas.
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