RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in research involving stream and river ecology and conservation.
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS:
I enjoy working on projects which are interdisciplinary in nature. Projects which incorporate elements of organismal biology, habitat assessment, community and landscape ecology, and anthropogenic impacts are of particular interest to me.
MANAGEMENT AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
I focus my research on projects which have tangible management and/or policy implications. My research questions are generally focused on issues related to biodiversity conservation, particularly questions which offer information which can guide management and policy decisions regarding aquatic communities.
SPATIAL ANALYSIS:
Most of the research I conduct includes a spatial component. Understanding how biological and anthropogenic features are distributed across a landscape, and how spatial position impacts various phenomena is a central theme of all my research.
AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION (CLIMATE CHANGE, ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS, INVASIVE SPECIES):
I am particularly interested in research which focuses on the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. I enjoy working on projects that address the assessing and predicting the impacts of threats to biodiversity. I am especially interested in conducting research which considers the impacts of climate change, land use and development, and spread of invasive species on aquatic organisms and communities.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
STREAM FISH VULNERABILITY:
One portion of my thesis research is focused on assessing Missouri stream fish vulnerability. This research is focused on developing and comparing a number of species specific vulnerability indices which measure species vulnerability to the threats of warming temperatures, more extreme flow events, and increasing anthropogenic impacts across the landscape. In addition, I am considering the impacts of species rarity and restricted distribution. I have developed three indices, one which uses species traits which have been linked to vulnerability, one which uses measured responses of species, and a third which uses habitat associations. Comparisons of these three indices allow for refinement of the indices, as well as helping to identify potential shortcomings of a single approach. These vulnerability indices were then compared to state and federal listing status to identify potential threats to listed species as well as to gauge index validity. The distribution of vulnerable species in the state was also analyzed in an effort to identify areas with high numbers of vulnerable species. These vulnerability scores were also used in an evaluation of Missouri's conservation networks.
MISSOURI STREAM FISH DISTRIBUTION MODELS:
Another portion of my thesis research was the development of species distribution models which can be used to target and prioritize conservation and management actions in the state of Missouri. I created species distribution models for 135 stream fish species using an ensemble modeling technique (MARS, GAMs, Boosted Regression Trees, and Random Forests Models). They were evaluated using AUC, bias estimates, and goodness of fit using mean absolute error. These models detail the probability of occurrence for Missouri's stream fish species in all wadeable streams for the entire state.
STREAM FISH REPRESENTATION AND CONSERVATION VALUE WITHIN CONSERVATION NETWORKS:
Another portion of my thesis research involved conducting an analysis of the conservation value of Missouri's conservation networks. I used the species distribution models to determine which species were likely represented within three of Missouri's conservation networks (Priority Watersheds, Conservation Opportunity Areas, and the existing conservation network). I then used the species distribution models, as well as the vulnerability scores, and measures of connectivity to calculate conservation values of units within these networks. This allowed for the ranking of entire units as well as individual watersheds from most to least conservation value. Additionally, areas outside of the networks which held the highest complementary conservation value were identified. This information can help managers and other decision-makers prioritize management and conservation actions, as well as identify potential areas for expansion or focus outside of the current protected area network.
HINE'S EMERALD DRAGONFLY HABITAT MODELLING AND SURVEYS:
As a student and contract employee for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources I conducted research on the federally endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly. Following a verified photograph of a Hine's emerald dragonfly outside of its known range, I conducted surveys and habitat assessments in the newly documented area. During my surveillance new occurrences were documented and genetic information was collected for further analysis. In addition to the surveys, I collected habitat information and analyzed it in an effort to document areas for potential breeding activity. I then used information from these new areas, as well as, other known occurrence sites to develop predictive species distribution models in order to identify other areas around the state which had similar habitat characteristics. I used these models for conducting additional surveys around the state in an attempt to document undiscovered populations of the species.
MORTALITY AND GROWTH OF PIT TAGGED CRAYFISH:
While working on my master's research I partnered with Dr. Jacob Westhoff on a project assessing mortality and growth of crayfish internally tagged with PIT tags. This study aimed at identifying whether internal implantation of PIT tags were a viable option for tagging crayfish for research applications. We determined the appropriate PIT tag sizes for crayfish of different carapace lengths based on mortality rates in a laboratory study. Based on our results, the use of internal implantation of PIT tags in crayfish can serve as an effective option for tagging crayfish.
