Jesse S Lewis: Applied Ecology Lab at ASU
Overview
In my lab at Arizona State University, we evaluate diverse research questions in applied ecology to test ecological hypotheses, fill important information gaps in wildlife science, and inform the conservation and management of plant and animal populations.
We apply ecological theory and quantitative methods to understand the distribution, abundance, and conservation of species and their habitat across multiple spatial and temporal scales, particularly in relation to human influences and ecological disturbance.
Much of our research is focused on mammals in the western United States, although we also work with reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates, and plants. Having broad interests in ecology, we work on a diversity of topics with many different types of species and across a variety of landscapes across North America and globally.
Research Themes
Population and Community Ecology
Occupancy, population abundance, and density are fundamental measures to understand how animals vary in space and time. In addition, species interactions shape ecological communities and processes.
Habitat Relationships
Understanding how animals interact and respond to their environment, considering biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors, is essential to the management and conservation of species and ecosystems. This information can be used to evaluate habitat quality and landscape connectivity.
Disturbance
Ecological disturbance can result from many different sources, including landscape change from human activities (e.g., development and urbanization), natural processes (e.g., fire), and invasive species. Many types of disturbances are increasing, and the effects on wildlife vary by species.
Research Topics and Current Projects
Effects of urbanization on wildlife
Urbanization is a growing anthropogenic factor affecting wildlife populations in the US. To better understand the trade-offs with how animals interact with urbanizing landscapes, we are studying diverse groups of species (e.g., small to large-sized mammals, bats, birds, and scorpions) across the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Salt River Valley, and multiple cities in North America. This work is in partnership with the NSF funded CAP LTER and Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN).
See here for more information:
Response of animals to wildfire
Wildfires are increasing in extent, intensity, and frequency in the western US with substantial impacts to people and the environment. Across the gradient of fire severity, we are evaluating how wildfire affects wildlife populations and community interactions. Specifically, we want to understand how herbivores (e.g., elk and deer) respond to areas experiencing fire, and the associated response of carnivores to their prey. This is a long term research project.
Landscape connectivity and corridors
Landscape connectivity is critical to the long-term persistence of populations, species, and communities and integrating connectivity conservation across a hierarchy of scales (e.g., continental, regional, local) can provide important information to prioritize on-the-ground conservation and management actions. We are modeling connectivity using GIS across multiple scales using multiple approaches.
Invasive wild pigs across multiple scales
Invasive wild pigs (also known as feral swine, feral hogs, wild boar) are a growing concern in the United States, as well as globally. Their populations have expanded significantly over the last several decades, which has led to wide-spread ecological, social, and economic damage. We are evaluating population dynamics and habitat relationships of wild pigs, impacts of this invasive species on the environment, and how best to manage this growing issue.
Trade-offs in habitat use
A theme in many of our research projects is evaluating the trade-offs in how animals use habitat in relation to human activities. For example, in urbanized areas there are potential benefits, such as food, water, and cover for some species. But, there are also potential costs, such as human disturbance, habitat loss, and animal mortality. Do the benefits outweigh the costs for wildlife species? Or do costs outweight benefits?
Space use and home range
Several of the projects in my lab use VHF and GPS telemetry data to estimate animal space use and home range. In addition, we use space use overlap to evaluate interactions within and among species.
Habitat selection and use
Using data from GPS telemetry, wildlife cameras, and other data sources, we evaluate habitat use and selection for a diversity of species across multiple spatial and temporal scales. This information is critical for the management and conservation of wildlife populations and landscapes.
Species distributions
Using results from multiple data sources (e.g., density, occurrence, occupancy, habitat selection, etc), we evaluate the distribution of species, population density, and habitat quality across multiple scales. In addition, this information can inform the management and conservation of wildlife, especially in landscapes experiencing human development and activities.
Road crossing characteristics of wildlife
Using GPS telemetry data, we identify road crossings by wildlife species. This information can be used to evaluate habitat characteristics of crossing locations and predict important crossing areas along roads. Land managers can use this information to identify areas to conserve along roads and build crossing structures.
Canals and wildlife in the Southwestern US
Canals provide critical water resources to people, agriculture, and municipalities. However, they also can reduce landscape connectivity for some species. In addition, canals create unique environments where terrestrial and aquatic systems interface across arid environments, which can influence landscape pattern and processes, habitat selection, and gene flow of wildlife. We are collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation to better understand how a variety of small- to large-sized wildlife use landscapes experiencing canals.
Use of Overpasses and Underpasses by wildlife
Many anthropogenic linear infrastructures (e.g., roads and canals) can influence animal movement. However, crossing structures can facilitate landscape connectivity for many species. We monitor overpass and underpass crossing structures to better understand wildlife use of these areas, and the associated habitat characteristics that promote use of crossing structures.
Recreation and wildlife
Many public lands, parks, and open spaces provide diverse recreational activities to people. However, some wildlife can be sensitive to disturbance from recreation. We use remote wildlife cameras and GPS telemetry to understand how wildlife potentially modify their habitat selection and daily activity patterns to access habitat influenced by recreation, and avoid human disturbance.
Species interactions and community composition
Species interactions can strongly influence wildlife communities. We evaluate community composition and species interactions using data from wildlife cameras, GPS telemetry, bat acoustic monitors, walking transects, and other methods.
Daily activity patterns
Daily activity patterns of animals are influenced by their natural circadian rhythms, as well as environmental factors, such as other species, human disturbance, climate, seasonal life history considerations, etc. We use GPS telemetry and wildlife cameras to evaluate daily activity patterns of animals to better understand how they respond to changing landscape characteristics.
GPS telemetry data
We work with GPS telemetry data for a variety of wildlife species (e.g., black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, mule deer, wild pig, etc) to evaluate space use, habitat selection, movement patterns, species interactions, and daily activity patterns.
Wildlife cameras and non-invasive techniques
Several research projects in my lab use remote wildlife camera data across a diversity of landscapes and species to evaluate population size, occupancy, habitat use, species interactions, and community composition. In addition, we use other non-invasive techniques, such as acoustic bat monitors, walking transects, scat and hair collection, etc, to evaluate a variety of research questions.
Fire effects across vegetation communities
Each vegetation communities exhibits its own historic fire regime, with some systems more fire adapted than others (e.g., montane aspen forest versus Sonoran desert). Human activities are altering fire regimes, which have important implications for wildlife, plants, landscapes, and people.
Renewable energy development
. . .
Ecological patterns within and across continents
. . .
. . .
. . .