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In the Macroscale Ecology and Conservation Lab, we are always thinking of new ways in which macroecological research can provide data-driven, actionable information to practitioners. The following are some examples of how our work has achieved that!
Identifying drivers of spongy moth establishment
Identifying drivers of spongy moth establishment
We explored rangewide patterns regarding the effects of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic factors on the invasion rate of spongy moth across the U.S. We used an innovative methodological approach, including Bayesian models and a “waiting times” framework to test the factors modulating the establishment rate of spongy moth from 1985 to 2015. Our results describe a hierarchy of factors that influence local range dynamics, in which seasonal temperatures were found to be the primary drivers.
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Evaluating potential conflicts between invasive management and monarch butterfly conservation
Evaluating potential conflicts between invasive management and monarch butterfly conservation
Conflicting conservation goals that lead to management tradeoffs are not an uncommon occurrence in conservation practice, as activities supporting one goal may inadvertently harm another. In this project, we examined a potential conflict between the use of Btk (a Lepidoptera-specific larvicidal) for invasive management of spongy moth and conservation of declining monarch butterfly populations. Using 30 years of georeferenced citizen-science data on first sightings of monarch butterflies, we quantified the potential spatial and temporal overlap between aerial applications of Btk and the presence of vulnerable monarch butterflies.
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Forecasting species range contractions of African carnivores for conservation
Forecasting species range contractions of African carnivores for conservation
Effective conservation requires assessing needs and setting priorities. While range maps are essential for biodiversity planning, they often lack critical details. Traditional approaches are almost exclusively limited to quantifying discordance in protected area coverage. In this work, we expand upon this by compiling spatially explicit data on both threats (e.g., drought, human pressures) and resources (e.g., protected areas, cultural diversity) to identify conservation capacity gaps for 91 African carnivore species.
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