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Stream hydrology and temperature are among the most influential regulators of life-history traits and community structure of aquatic organisms. Hydrologic and thermal gradients strongly affect individual fitness and ultimately species success by imposing fundamental constraints on behavior, metabolic rates, reproduction, growth and ecological interactions. Stream hydrology and water temperature are also among the most frequently altered components of lotic systems due to human activities and other environmental disturbance. Despite their critical role in sustaining native aquatic biodiversity, few studies have examined the cross-scale influence of hydrology and water temperature on freshwater biota using a multi-species...
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Upland pine ecosystems in USFWS Region 4 can support many trust species, but management is often directed at only a single species. At Piedmont NWR in central Georgia, management is focused on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, but several other species (including Bachman’s Sparrow and Northern Bobwhite) could be benefited by slight alterations to management (e.g., more frequent burning or smaller burn units). We will build habitat use models using remotely sensed data and existing information on species occurrence at Piedmont NWR to determine how each of these species responds to management related to prescribed burning. We will then estimate how well these models perform both at Piedmont NWR (using newly collected groundtruthing...
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Migratory shorebirds and seabirds are under persistent and significant threats throughout their annual cycle from habitat loss from sea level rise and coastal development as well as the threat of human disturbance and predation. Much of the coastal areas in Florida are highly sought after for recreation posing potential conflicts between conservation and human use. We are proposing to develop a novel approach to conservation by working with public and private landowners to identify constraints they have to providing for the needs of migratory birds on an annual basis. A successful model of a county park in Florida that reserves a mere 300 meters of beach for ‘shorebird habitat’ year-round. We will take the information...
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In karst areas there is an inherent connectivity between surface streams and groundwater resources, thus activities which occur in these areas can influence the quality and quantity of groundwater. The Calfkiller River in central Tennessee drains the western escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau and is one of the densest areas of karst development in the state. The perennial flow of the Calfkiller River is supplied by karst springs which create conditions suitable for two endangered species, the Cumberland pigtoe mussel and the bluemask darter fish. Both species are reliant on clear, freeflowing, high-quality headwater streams as their primary habitat. The bluemask darter has been extirpated from the Calfkiller River,...
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The red wolf, a critically endangered species, faces numerous challenges to its survival, including habitat loss and human-related mortality. To support their recovery, it is essential to identify suitable areas for translocating red wolves while considering both habitat quality and the risks associated with human activities. This research project aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding spatial socioenvironmental risks by evaluating the landscape's configuration and human behaviors through a combination of geographic analysis, surveys, and movement modeling. The outcomes of this project will provide valuable information for identifying potential translocation sites and informing management decisions. By understanding...
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