Our current research is wide-ranging. From understanding angler behavior in response to management, invasive species risk assessments, understanding how resilience is generated in ecological systems to implementing the North American Bat Monitoring Program in Nebraska, and researching strategies for integrating genetic tools into conservation efforts.
Click on the research project title to learn more:
Angler Behavior on Nebraska's Urban Waterbodies
Project goals are to understand 1) the participation patterns of anglers on multiple spatial and temporal scales; 2) how participation patterns of anglers’ influence fish populations and associated communities; 3) how management actions influence angler participation patterns and, in turn, fish communities; and 4) interactions and feedback mechanisms between and among angler groups and fishRead more about Angler Behavior on Nebraska's Urban Waterbodies.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program
1. Decrease the risk of aquatic invasive species introduction into Nebraska by implementing a boat inspections and decontamination program;2. Increase public awareness of AIS through an integrated outreach and education program;
3. Continue AIS monitoring to help focus prevention efforts;
4. Increase local and regional collaboration in the prevention of AIS.
Read more about Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program.
Bat Conservation and Recovery in Nebraska and Wyoming
We are collaborating with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and state and federal natural resource managers in the Midwest.Read more about Bat Conservation and Recovery in Nebraska and Wyoming.
Bat Movements Across Transforming Landscapes
By studying bat migratory patterns in Nebraska, we will help utility companies, wind energy developers, and wind facility owners avoid, manage, and mitigate the effects of new and existing wind energy facilities.Read more about Bat Movements Across Transforming Landscapes.
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Nebraska Outdoor Enthusiast
We are analyzing a comprehensive database on license holders and hunter education participants in Nebraska with the goal of helping inform and direct wildlife and fisheries management, as well as recruitment and retention efforts within the state.Read more about Comprehensive Evaluation of the Nebraska Outdoor Enthusiast.
Development of a Molecular Approach to Age Pacific Walruses: A Novel Application of Epigenetic Aging for Close-kin Mark-recapture
We are developing an approach to age walruses based on epigenetic signatures, which only requires DNA from sampled individuals. We have identified potential age-related epigenetic markers in walrus by whole methyl DNA sequencing samples derived from calves (0 year old) and adults (≥6 years old) with museum specimens of known age based on tooth cementum annuli analyses.Evaluating reproduction, harvest, timing of season, connectivity, and spatial ecology of wild turkeys in Nebraska
Wild turkeys are an important game species in Nebraska and across the United States of America. Managers and hunters have reported declines in the number of wild turkeys in Nebraska, similar to declines in other states and regions.Managing Red Cedar Invasions of Nebraska Grasslands -Part II
In this project we are working with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to answer four primary questions to better address cedar invasion.1. What are the consequences of cedar invasion?
2. Where can cedar invasion occur in Nebraska?
3. How is current cedar management performing?
4. How can cedar management be improved?
Read more about Managing Red Cedar Invasions of Nebraska Grasslands -Part II.
Monitoring, Mapping and Risk Assessment and Management of Invasive Species in Nebraska
The Nebraska Invasive Species Program (NISP) continues to administer a multi-institutional program with grant funding from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) to:
Multi-scale habitat needs of at-risk fishes in Nebraska
This study will set the stage for future work assessing fish-habitat relations by identifying locations most likely to contain species of interest.Read more about Multi-scale habitat needs of at-risk fishes in Nebraska.
Pallid Sturgeon biology in Platte River and its tributaries
The Pallid Sturgeon is a U.S. Threatened species that primarily inhabits the Missouri River and lower Mississippi rivers. Ongoing work in the main stems of large rivers has provided much critical information regarding the biology and ecology of the species.Read more about Pallid Sturgeon biology in Platte River and its tributaries.
Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Science
The Rainwater Basin Joint Venture’s (RWBJV) mission includes science–based conservation efforts for all priority bird habitats throughout Nebraska’s mixed–grass prairie region. The Management Board of the RWBJV is committed to implementing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Strategic Habitat Conservation model.
Vegetative and Large Carnivore Responses in an Encroached Landscape
First, the efficacy of grassland restorations by tree removal in southeast Nebraska was determined by revisiting sites where tree removals were used in grassland restorations in 2006, to determine if these sites have been re-invaded or not. Vegetative community composition (particularly invasive tree species) and structure (measured with visual obstructing readings – VOR) were quantified.Read more about Vegetative and Large Carnivore Responses in an Encroached Landscape.
Wetlands of Nebraska: An Outreach and Education Project
The main objective of this project is to produce and distribute a series of integrated wetland outreach and education products to increase awareness of the importance of wetlands in Nebraska and an understanding of the need for wetland conservation.Read more about Wetlands of Nebraska: An Outreach and Education Project.
Cooperators
