Postdoctoral Fellow (Former) Research Interests
Ecosystem Science & Management Program
University of Northern British Columbia
Prince George, BC
I am an applied ecologist interested in the effects of disturbance
on wildlife populations and communities.
My approach is to frame
applied questions in the context
of existing ecological theory to identify solutions
that generalize across systems. My research focuses on the underlying mechanisms of
ecological processes, such as predation, competition, and apparent competition.
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.
Following a 15-year civil conflict, many of Gorongosa's large animal populations were reduced by >90%.
We are studying the influence of interspecific competition on the recovery of large herbivore species
and examining prey selection by African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to better understand the
health and survival of this reintroduced population.
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 Predation Risk for Boreal Woodland Caribou in British Columbia
I am working 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 are
developing a modeling tool for managers to evaluate the viability and cost of recovery options
for their populations.
I am working 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 are evaluating 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 am working 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 are
evaluating the cascading effects of gray wolf (Canis lupus) removal on diet partitioning between coyotes (Canis latrans)
and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and are using spatial capture-recapture models to estimate changes in
coyote and red fox densities.
Woodland Caribou-Predator Interactions in Newfoundland
I am working 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 have declined
>66% since 1998. High calf mortality from black bears (Ursus amercanus) and coyotes
(Canis latrans) are the proximate cause of decline. We are exploring 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.