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L. Scott Mills

There are a number of ways that climate change is beginning to impact wildlife. Temperature increases and changes in precipitation can directly affect species, depending on their physiology and tolerance of environmental changes. Climate change can also alter a species' food supply or its reproductive timing, which indirectly affecting its fitness. Understanding these interactions is an important step in developing management strategies to help species survive the changing climate.
This model was used in Camouflage mismatch in seasonal coat color due to decreased snow duration (Mills et al. 2013, PNAS). Information about this model and analysis can be found at: http://www.pnas.org/content/110/18/7360.abstract.
This model was used in Camouflage mismatch in seasonal coat color due to decreased snow duration (Mills et al. 2013, PNAS). Information about this model and analysis can be found at: http://www.pnas.org/content/110/18/7360.abstract.
Abstract (from http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/04/10/1222724110.abstract): Most examples of seasonal mismatches in phenology span multiple trophic levels, with timing of animal reproduction, hibernation, or migration becoming detached from peak food supply. The consequences of such mismatches are difficult to link to specific future climate change scenarios because the responses across trophic levels have complex underlying climate drivers often confounded by other stressors. In contrast, seasonal coat color polyphenism creating camouflage against snow is a direct and potentially severe type of seasonal mismatch if crypsis becomes compromised by the animal being white when snow is absent. It is unknown whether...
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Development of an Adaptive Management Framework for the Conservation of the New England Cottontail
The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is the only native rabbit species in New England. Over the past 50 years, the cottontail’s range has been reduced by more than 80% as a result of habitat loss from maturing forests and land-use change, resulting in major population declines and concerns for the long-term prospects of this iconic species and other wildlife dependent on young forests. Another threat facing the New England cottontail is resource competition from eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), introduced into the northeastern US in the early1900s. In response, the New England cottontail is considered a species of special concern by six northeastern states and was a candidate for federal...
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