Poster Abstracts in Word 29oct - American Museum of Natural History

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CLIMATE AFFECTS THE DEMOGRAPHY OF A SUBALPINE POPULATIONEVA KNEIPUniversity of Florida, Gainesville; Wildlife Ecology and ConservationGainesville, Florida USAMasters second yearkneipeva@gmail.comConservation problem or question: Due to global climate change, the impact of climaticfactors is intensifying on the population dynamics of most species. Organisms that occupymontane ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. To help protect vertebrate populationsinhabiting increasingly variable environments, we investigate the role of environmentalstochasticity and climate in driving the population dynamics and probability of extinction ofa subalpine ground squirrelpopulation.Research methods: Utilizing 19 years of demographic data, we employed multi-state CMRmodels implemented in Program MARK using RMark interface for estimating survival.Logistic and zero-truncated Poisson regression models were used for breeding probabilityand litter size analysis, respectively. Population dynamics and persistence were investigatedwith simulation-based age-structured matrix models, assuming a uniform independent andidentically distributed environment and incorporating density-dependence.Relevance to conservation: To mitigate the potential ecological consequences of climatechange, it is critical to understand how the fluctuating environmental factors influence thedemographic parameters, dynamics, and persistence of populations. Our results showstrong evidence for the effect of climatic variables on demography. The simulations highlightthe squirrel population’s vulnerability to environmental perturbations and have conservationrelevance to other montane species.SPECIES INTERACTIONS DISRUPTED BY HABITAT DEGRADATION IN THETUMBESIAN REGION, ECUADORJESSIE L. KNOWLTON and Catherine H. GrahamStony Brook University, Ecology and EvolutionStony Brook, New York USAPh.D. fourth yearjlknowlton@gmail.comConservation problem or question: Extensive areas of the tropics are undergoing small-scalelivestock grazing and tree clearing. I will address the impact of these activities on thepersistence and behavior of mixed species flocks, which are interspecific interactionsimportant to the conservation of many tropical birds. I conducted this research in theTumbesian region, one of the most threatened bioregions in the world.Research methods: I compared the species composition, number of individuals, andbehaviors of mixed species flocks of birds in arid scrub and tropical dry forest vegetationunder two disturbance levels each in Machalilla National Park, Ecuador. I also comparedflocking propensities, feeding rates and nesting success of many species across vegetationtypes and disturbance levels.Relevance to conservation: I found that the structure and behavior of mixed species flocksis disrupted by small-scale livestock grazing and tree clearing by rural communities,especially in tropical dry forest vegetation. Since mixed species flocking plays an importantrole in the ecology of the majority of species in the region, maintaining these uniqueassociations is of the utmost importance to their conservation.
TRIBAL RIGHTS AND TIGER CONSERVATION IN SOUTH INDIAROOPA KRITHIVASANYale University, School of Forestry and Environmental StudiesNew Haven, Connecticut USAMasters second yearroopa.krithi@gmail.comConservation problem or question: As concerns over the alarming disappearance of tigersmounts in India, measures are being taken to increase protection; simultaneously thegovernment has heightened efforts to safeguard rights to land and livelihoods of historicallymarginalized tribal communities, including those who live in and around tiger habitats. Thiscase study looks at the intersection of these conflicting concerns at Mudumalai, South India.Research methods: This study involves semi-structured interviews, participant observation,and document analysis. Interviews and participant observation were primarily with tribaland non-tribal members of the local community, conservationists, tribal rights activists, andForest Department employees.Relevance to conservation: Successful conservation requires a synthesis of ecologicalknowledge, and a thorough understanding of social and cultural values that shape the futuretrajectory of current conservation efforts. This case study documents the conflicts, obstaclesand potential solutions that present themselves in implementing successful conservation inplaces where the interests of diverse and large human populations are also at play.ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE INCREASES THE PREVALENCE OF PATHOGENICPROTOZOA IN WILD RODENT RESERVOIRS IN UGANDASTEFANIE LANGEmory CollegeAtlanta, Georgia USAUndergraduate completedstefanieannlang@gmail.comConservation problem or question: Our research shows that prevalence of pathogenicprotozoa Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. increases along a gradient of anthropogenichabitat disturbance in Western Uganda. These pathogens have not only been classified aszoonotic, but also as neglected tropical pathogens. The increasing prevalence of thesepathogens in densely populated regions is a consequence of habitat and biodiversity loss.Research methods: Rodent fecal samples were screened using immunoflourescent antibodytesting (IFA). Pathogen prevalence was quantified as the number of individuals expressingpositive results (via 400X microscopic magnification detection) divided by the number ofindividuals sampled. Giardia sp. cysts and Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were calculated byanalyzing 10 microliters of 10 milliliter solution of 0.1 grams of feces from each sample.Relevance to conservation: Our research examines the environmental consequences thatarise from increasing anthropogenic habitat disturbance and addresses the potentiallyadverse health effects on the people living in these regions. Our results demonstrate theinterplay between biodiversity loss and the increase in emerging zoonotic diseases.Addressing these public health concerns enables scientists to educate the world on theimportance of conservation efforts.ANTHROPOGENIC ENCROACHMENT OF TROPICAL RESERVESTIEN MING LEEYale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyNew Haven, Connecticut USAPh.D. fourth yeartien.lee@yale.edu
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