2017
Evaluation of the distribution and conservation status of the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) in southwest New Mexico (Funding: NM Share With Wildlife)
This project is going to begin in spring 2017 and is focused on assessing the population status and threats to the Gila Monster in southwest New Mexico. We will employ occupancy modeling with presence/absence surveys and transect to estimate relative abundance of this iconic and rare species.
2011-2015
Rainfall influences lizard activity in a Pinon-Juniper woodland.
In 2011 I began studying a lizard community on a long-term landscape level rainfall manipulation study that was designed to understand drought effects on Pinon and Juniper trees on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There were four experimental treatments that included ambient plots (received all ambient rainfall), irrigation plots (received six simulated 19mm rainfall events from April to September), drought plots (45% of ambient rainfall removed with polymer troughs), and cover control plots (polymer domes).
For three years (2011-2013) I monitored lizard diversity and abundance within this experimental system to determine the effects of drought on lizard activity and habitat use. This work is part of my PhD dissertation.
2011-2016
Ecology, population trends, and conservation of Arizona toad in southwest New Mexico (Funding: NM Share with Wildlife & NMDGF).
The Arizona toad lives along desert rivers and streams in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah and is threatened by hybridization, altered river flows, and climate change. In New Mexico the Arizona toad has a small range, restricted to the eastern Mogollon Rim in southwestern New Mexico, with a disjunt population to the east in the San Mateo Mountains. Prior to this work there had been no detailed studies on this species ecology of conservation status in New Mexico, although population declines had been noted. The lack of population trend information posses a problem to conservation and resource managers considering the species is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New Mexico, and is under consideration of protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
To fill the need, from 2013-2016, I have been monitoring 83 Arizona toad breeding sites in the Gila wilderness to understand long-term population trends, variation in annual occupancy at breeding sites, disese and parasite dynamics, and environmental factors that regulate breeding behaviors. This work has resulted in the first case of infection of the lethal amphibian disease chytridiomycosis and infection of the ectoparasite Hannemania bufonis in this species, both of which can casue mortality to toads. The most important finding of this work is that there is no apparent threat from hybridization with the native Woodhouse's toad in New Mexico, which is a major threat to populations in Arizona and Utah (Ryan et al. in revisions).
In addition, I have developed a model using presence/absence call survey data and daily sreamflows that predicts flow thresholds above which toads will not call.
Evaluation of the distribution and conservation status of the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) in southwest New Mexico (Funding: NM Share With Wildlife)
This project is going to begin in spring 2017 and is focused on assessing the population status and threats to the Gila Monster in southwest New Mexico. We will employ occupancy modeling with presence/absence surveys and transect to estimate relative abundance of this iconic and rare species.
2011-2015
Rainfall influences lizard activity in a Pinon-Juniper woodland.
In 2011 I began studying a lizard community on a long-term landscape level rainfall manipulation study that was designed to understand drought effects on Pinon and Juniper trees on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. There were four experimental treatments that included ambient plots (received all ambient rainfall), irrigation plots (received six simulated 19mm rainfall events from April to September), drought plots (45% of ambient rainfall removed with polymer troughs), and cover control plots (polymer domes).
For three years (2011-2013) I monitored lizard diversity and abundance within this experimental system to determine the effects of drought on lizard activity and habitat use. This work is part of my PhD dissertation.
2011-2016
Ecology, population trends, and conservation of Arizona toad in southwest New Mexico (Funding: NM Share with Wildlife & NMDGF).
The Arizona toad lives along desert rivers and streams in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah and is threatened by hybridization, altered river flows, and climate change. In New Mexico the Arizona toad has a small range, restricted to the eastern Mogollon Rim in southwestern New Mexico, with a disjunt population to the east in the San Mateo Mountains. Prior to this work there had been no detailed studies on this species ecology of conservation status in New Mexico, although population declines had been noted. The lack of population trend information posses a problem to conservation and resource managers considering the species is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New Mexico, and is under consideration of protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
To fill the need, from 2013-2016, I have been monitoring 83 Arizona toad breeding sites in the Gila wilderness to understand long-term population trends, variation in annual occupancy at breeding sites, disese and parasite dynamics, and environmental factors that regulate breeding behaviors. This work has resulted in the first case of infection of the lethal amphibian disease chytridiomycosis and infection of the ectoparasite Hannemania bufonis in this species, both of which can casue mortality to toads. The most important finding of this work is that there is no apparent threat from hybridization with the native Woodhouse's toad in New Mexico, which is a major threat to populations in Arizona and Utah (Ryan et al. in revisions).
In addition, I have developed a model using presence/absence call survey data and daily sreamflows that predicts flow thresholds above which toads will not call.