Welcome
Our lab conducts applied research to assist with conservation of wildlife populations and communities under changing environmental and management conditions. We primarily study species of conservation concern, with a focus on sensitive species that occur in regional national forests. We employ traditional field-based methods, mesocosm and laboratory experiments, statistical and spatial analyses, and simulation modeling to better understand, predict, and ultimately assist with management of wildlife.
Current student-led research projects – PI / Co-PI
- Wood Turtle abundance-habitat relationships in the Northwoods region (Jena Staggs)
- Wood Turtle diel activity patterns (Jena Staggs)
- Optimizing Wood Turtle population survey design (Ally Beard)
- Temporary emigration of Wood Turtles from monitoring sites (Ally Beard)
- Wood Turtle population responses to oil and gas development in Pennsylvania (Sara Crayton)
- Wood Turtle distribution in the Upper Midwest (Sara Crayton)
- Spotted Turtle status and distribution in West Virginia (Joel Mota)
- Responses of woodland salamanders to climate change in Central Appalachia (Lacy Rucker)
Current student-led research projects – Collaborator
- Predictive models to guide stocking in tournament fisheries (Alex Benecke)
- Distribution, activity patterns, and habitat selection of bats in Texas
- Wood turtle microhabitat selection in Minnesota (Cole Weigartz)
Current PI-led research projects
- Wood turtle ecology and population monitoring
- Responses of stream salamanders to prescribed fire in Central Appalachia
- Cheat Mountain Salamander microhabitat associations
- Kirtland's Warbler population responses to environmental and management changes
- Book co-editor: Amphibians and reptiles of Wisconsin
Focal species of concern
- Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi)
- Cow Knob Salamander (Plethodon punctatus)
- Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)
- Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
- Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
- Kirtland's Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii)
Focal geographic areas
- Allegheny National Forest (Pennsylvania)
- Eastern Panhandle (West Virginia)
- George Washington National Forest (Virginia, West Virginia)
- Lost Pines (Texas)
- Lower Rio Grande Valley (Texas)
- Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia)
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (West Virginia)
- Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan)