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Environmental change is a ubiquitous feature of ecosystems around the globe. Whether it is related to climatic change, human development, or natural processes, organisms must be able to respond and adapt to variations in their environment. We study the mechanisms by which individuals are able to respond to change and link these strategies to variation in the size of entire populations and species. We primarily work with species that inhabit extreme environments or exhibit extreme behaviors, as these species are predicted to be less capable of coping with rapid environmental changes. |
Photo: Tom Johnson
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Improving Nearctic Shorebird Population Estimates
In order to understand how populations are affected by the ability of individuals to respond to environmental change, it is necessary to develop accurate estimates of population sizes and trends. Accurate population estimates are frequently difficult to generate for migratory shorebirds, which may have large distributions that encompass remote parts of the world. To surmount these difficulties, we have helped develop a survey methodology that can be implemented at large spatial scales with the help of trained volunteer observers. Beginning in 2010, in collaboration with Fernando Angulo and CORBIDI, we carried out the first-ever comprehensive ground-based survey of the Peruvian coast for shorebirds. In 2014, in partnership with the Red de Observadores de Aves Chile, we extended this effort to include the entire Chilean coastline as well. In 2024 we expanded our work yet again to cover the entirety of southern South America, from Ecuador to Brazil in collaboration with partners from the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, SAVE Brazil, Aves Argentinas, and Aves Uruguay. Example publication: Faria et al. 2025, Journal of Field Ornithology |
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Photo: Tom Johnson
Shifting Phenologies Under a Changing Climate
Hudsonian Godwits have one of the most extreme annual cycles of any migratory bird: In collaboration with colleagues Rose Swift (U.S. Geological Survey), Juan Navedo (Universidad Austral de Chile), and Jose Masero (Universidad de Extremadura), we are exploring how environmental changes occurring throughout the godwit annual cycle are altering the survival and reproductive success of the godwit population that migrates between Chile and Alaska. This work involves the use of miniaturized tracking devices to detail the migrations of individual godwits, in depth assessments of godwit pre-migratory physiology, characterization of the habitat needs of godwits during their northward migration, and multi-trophic level studies to link godwits with community-wide dynamics in sub-Arctic Alaska.
Example publication: Puleo et al. 2025, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Hudsonian Godwits have one of the most extreme annual cycles of any migratory bird: In collaboration with colleagues Rose Swift (U.S. Geological Survey), Juan Navedo (Universidad Austral de Chile), and Jose Masero (Universidad de Extremadura), we are exploring how environmental changes occurring throughout the godwit annual cycle are altering the survival and reproductive success of the godwit population that migrates between Chile and Alaska. This work involves the use of miniaturized tracking devices to detail the migrations of individual godwits, in depth assessments of godwit pre-migratory physiology, characterization of the habitat needs of godwits during their northward migration, and multi-trophic level studies to link godwits with community-wide dynamics in sub-Arctic Alaska.
Example publication: Puleo et al. 2025, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Photo: Maina Handmaker
The Importance of Nocturnal Roost Sites
Stopover sites are key portions of the annual cycles of migratory species and can be especially susceptible to the effects of anthropogenic activities. In collaboration with Felicia Sanders from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Andy Johnson from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, we are investigating the stopover ecology of Whimbrel along the South Carolina and Georgia coastlines and, especially, their use of a nocturnal roost on Deveaux Bank. This work is highlighting how even small places can have outsized importance to the stability of entire species.
Example publication: Handmaker et al. 2024, Ornithology
Stopover sites are key portions of the annual cycles of migratory species and can be especially susceptible to the effects of anthropogenic activities. In collaboration with Felicia Sanders from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Andy Johnson from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, we are investigating the stopover ecology of Whimbrel along the South Carolina and Georgia coastlines and, especially, their use of a nocturnal roost on Deveaux Bank. This work is highlighting how even small places can have outsized importance to the stability of entire species.
Example publication: Handmaker et al. 2024, Ornithology
Photo: Maria Stager
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Range Shifts in Parasites and Pathogens
Along with Jon Velotta (Denver University), Zac Cheviron, and Art Woods (University of Montana), we are investigating how climate change may be pushing pathogens and parasites to move upslope, exposing high-elevation extremophile populations to novel selection pressures for which they may have few defenses. To do this, we are combining experimental work in the laboratory and intensive tracking studies in the field, as well as incorporating physiological and genomic techniques focused on both the hosts and the parasites. This holistic approach will provide insight into how extremophiles may be able to respond to novel biotic interactions, as well as other types of environmental change. Example publication: Velotta et al. 2025, Evolution |
Photo: Andy Johnson
The Drivers of Migratory Connectivity
Migratory connectivity is frequently one of the most important metrics for a species' conservation. However, we have relatively little understanding of what influences the degree of connectivity exhibited by a species. To fill this gap, we have been collaborating with Jim Johnson from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Dan Ruthrauff from Manomet Conservation Science to track the southbound migrations of 15 shorebirds species across Alaska. We hope that this broad scale approach will help us to unlock how evolutionary history and contemporary environmental conditions combine to influence the migratory strategies of these at-risk species.
Example publication: Bathrick et al. 2024, Movement Ecology
Migratory connectivity is frequently one of the most important metrics for a species' conservation. However, we have relatively little understanding of what influences the degree of connectivity exhibited by a species. To fill this gap, we have been collaborating with Jim Johnson from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Dan Ruthrauff from Manomet Conservation Science to track the southbound migrations of 15 shorebirds species across Alaska. We hope that this broad scale approach will help us to unlock how evolutionary history and contemporary environmental conditions combine to influence the migratory strategies of these at-risk species.
Example publication: Bathrick et al. 2024, Movement Ecology
Photo: Maina Handmaker
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Developing Full Annual Cycle Demographic Models
When and where during their annual cycles are the populations of migratory species limited? This is a key insight needed to conserve migratory species, but it has proven hard to pin down. Along with John Herbert from Mass Audubon and Alan Kneidel from Manomet Conservation Science, we are working to develop full annual cycle demographic models for two shorebird species exhibit dramatically different population trajectories -- Whimbrel and Willet. We believe that this comparative approach can provide a more general path forward for assessing the portions of the year during which migratory species are most at risk. Example publication: Swift et al. 2020, Journal of Animal Ecology |
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The Effects of Green Energy Development
Green energy is projected to be critical to our ability to mitigate the worst effects of climate change in the near future, but it is not without its own costs for biodiversity. Working with Peter Paton from the University of Rhode Island, we are integrating movement and demographic data for Roseate Tern populations across the northeastern U.S. to forecast how future offshore wind energy development may impact the population dynamics of this endangered species. This is part of our broader effort to document the full range of costs of 'sustainable' development. Example publication: Gutiérrez et al. 2022, Proceedings of the Royal Society B |
Photo: Peter Paton
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