Research

Current Research

Ecology of shrubland birds in actively managed rangelands

This project will use a combination of methods (point/transect counts, acoustic monitors, and mist-netting) to determine the effects of pyric herbivory on bird diversity, abundance, habitat use, nesting ecology and winter persistence  at pasture and ranch scales. Pyric herbivory is the use of prescribed fire and mixed-species grazing for adaptive management of woody shrub encroachment and forage production for livestock. 

Ecology of Mountain Plover (Anarhynchus montanus) in Texas

We are working on Mountain Plover abundance and winter habitat use in West-Central Texas croplands, and plan to begin work on abundance and ecology of nesting Mountain Plovers in rangelands and croplands statewide. 

Post-delisting monitoring and nesting ecology of Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) in Texas

We are working in partnership  with American Bird Conservancy and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department  to  monitor  nesting populations of vireos at multiple sites across the western Edwards Plateau. 

Pasture use of bats in actively managed rangelands

This project is deploying  ultrasonic acoustic monitors to determine  presence of bat species utilizing pasture habitat and water sources in an effort to understand how bat use is related to pyric herbivory and inform best practices for developing bat-friendly livestock watering infrastructure. 

Wildlife ecology and small ruminant livestock management

This project is focused on determining interactions between wildlife ecology/behavior and small ruminant (sheep & goat) livestock operations, with a focus on the potential for and mitigation of predation and other wildlife conflict. 

Ecology and conservation of Rio Grande Turkey

This project is in development and will focus on habitat restoration and management for Rio Grande Turkeys in West-Central Texas. 

Wildlife habitat and community ecology in energy dominated landscapes

This project is in development and will focus on habitat management and ecology of wildlife populations in the context of renewable energy sites, petroleum extraction activities and infrastructure, and other changes in land use. 

Ecology and resource selection of axis deer and potential impacts on range condition and fire recovery

This project is in development and will focus on resource use and ecology of axis deer and potential for conflicts with rangeland management for livestock, pasture recovery from fire, and competition with native wildlife. 

Previous Projects

The projects below were conducted by undergraduate thesis students in the Kasner Lab at Wayland Baptist University or by graduate students at other institutions in collaboration with Dr. Kasner.

Texas Horned Lizard Population Ecology and Home Range

• Home range and habitat associations from telemetry of Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) in the Southern High Plains of Texas (Sarah Macha, WBU)

• Population mark-recapture and habitat use of Texas horned lizard in the Southern High Plains, Texas (Sara van der Leek, WBU)

Site Fidelity and Ecology of Wintering Grassland Birds

• Winter habitat use and site fidelity of sparrows in the Southern High Plains, Floyd County, Texas (S. Leigh Ann DeMerritt, WBU)

• Molecular sex determination and sex ratios of wintering sparrows in the Southern High Plains, Texas (Elizabeth Reinhart, WBU)

• Winter habitat use of longspurs (Calcarius spp.) and other winter grassland birds in Hale and Floyd County, Texas (Lauryn Bruggink, WBU)

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

• Using VHF radio telemetry to determine home range and habitat use of Ladder-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides scalaris) in the Texas Panhandle (Victoria Solis, WBU)

• Habitat use and differential foraging perch use by male and female Ladder-backed Woodpeckers (Victoria Solis & Sara van der Leek, WBU)

Painted Bunting and other songbirds

• Habitat associations of Painted Buntings along the caprock escarpment of the eastern Llano Estacado, Texas (Morgan Bennett, WBU)

• Nesting ecology of doves and songbirds on the Wayland Baptist University Campus, Plainview, Texas (Brittany Hall, WBU)

• Experimental test of the function of Rock Wren nest pavement (Ivy Sustaita, WBU) 

Mammals

• Using camera trapping techniques to identify the presence of meso-mammals and determine habitat preferences within the caprock canyonlands of West Texas (Trudi Cooke, WBU)

• Effectiveness of scent stations, game cameras, and scent types for assessing mammalian presence and abundance in an urban environment (Corin Olivas, WBU)

Collaboration with graduate students at other institutions

Seasonal occurrence and playa lake habitat use by wading birds on the Southern High Plains, Texas (Trudi Cooke, MS Wildlife Biology at Texas A&M University - Commerce)

Ecology and habitat use of Western Screech Owls in the Davis Mountains of West Texas (Corin Olivas, MS Biology at Sul Ross State University)