Species interactions and human activities can strongly influence the distribution, abundance, and behaviors of wildlife populations. Decision makers therefore require holistic information about not just individual species but also their interactions to make informed conservation decisions. We apply a variety of quantitative methods to large, single- and multi-species datasets and collaborate with conservation partners to tease apart and understand these ecological relationships while answering conservation-oriented questions. Broadly, we ask questions about how species interactions influence wildlife behavior and populations, how humans influence wildlife populations and communities, and what methodological tools are best suited for monitoring and studying these relationships. We address these questions by integrating quantitative ecology and wildlife biology in our work, often in collaboration with state, federal, and provincial agencies across western North America.

Check out some of our past and current projects below! 

​Patterns & processes in a multi-predator community

Understanding the multiple factors that structure predator populations is necessary for making informed wildlife management decisions. However, functional (i.e., behavioral) and numerical (i.e., abundance) relationships between predators can vary across spatial and temporal scales and are often mediated by prey, environmental factors, and human activities. Thus, characterizing patterns of predator occurrence and density, as well as identifying the relative importance of competition, prey, habitat, and anthropogenic pressures in shaping those patterns, can provide valuable information for managing predator populations. In collaboration with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), our research objectives are to 1) identify patterns of co-occurrence and relative abundance among a community of predators in northern Idaho, and 2) describe processes that influence the strength of predator interactions and observed patterns. 

Spatiotemporal patterns of predator-prey interactions

The non-consumptive effects of predator-prey interactions can shape the space-use and activity patterns of wildlife and may ultimately dictate when and where consumptive interactions occur. As part of the larger Washington Predator-Prey Project, we aimed to answer questions about occurrence, movement, and activity patterns among a community of ungulates, mesopredators, and apex predators in eastern Washington, with a particular emphasis on how predator-prey interactions and anthropogenic activities influence these patterns. We asked four broad questions: 1) how does survey perspective (camera trap vs GPS collars) influence inferences gained about wildlife-habitat associations and space use, 2) how does predator hunting mode and habitats associated with predators and prey influence animal movement, 3) how does animal activity vary with predation risk at different temporal scales, and 4) how do anthropogenic activities (i.e., hunting and livestock grazing) influence spatial and temporal overlap of predators and prey? 

Effects of harvest on wolves in the Rocky Mountains

Public harvest is frequently used to manage wildlife populations and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Because of their social structure, the response of wolf populations to harvest management can be complex and understanding that complexity can help wildlife managers evaluate the efficacy of harvest, meet management objectives, and inform future decisions. Our research evaluates how wolf social structure, harvest management, and other factors influence pack dynamics and connectivity, primarily using non-invasively sampled genetic data from wolves in Idaho, USA. Additional research includes evaluating wolf occurrence and resource selection in Alberta, Canada, and the American Southwest. This work is part of ongoing research with  https://www.graywolfresearch.org/.