PhD Dissertation: “Integrating Behavior and Conservation: Behavioral Ecology as a Management Tool” by Kristie Foster (Brown Lab)
February 26, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
SES 3440
Calendar
Download iCal FilePlease join us 2/26 at 2pm in SES 3440 for "Integrating Behavior and Conservation: Behavioral Ecology as a Management Tool" by Kristie Foster (Brown Lab)
Abstract: As urbanization continues to expand, wildlife increasingly occupies areas affected by human disturbances. Attempts to manage wildlife populations often rely on human-perception of animals’ needs, and despite having the best intentions they may not always be an accurate reflection. My research aims to utilize behavioral ecology as a management tool that provides animals the ability to reveal their own perspective. Each dissertation chapter explores a different species and application for the use of animal behavior to address a variety of management concerns. For this seminar, I will focus on my three chapters that utilize foraging behavior to gain insight into the habitat preferences of zoo-housed Bennett’s wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus) and the food preferences of two free-range “pest” species, the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) in Australia and the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in the USA. Chapter one evaluates the impact of zoo visitor proximity on the habitat use of Bennett’s wallabies in a walk-through exhibit. I identified key features within areas of wallaby preference and aversion and provided recommendations for how managers can amend underutilized areas to increase space use. In my next two chapters, I address management concerns regarding human-wildlife conflict in two free-ranging mammal species, at two different scales. Swamp wallabies’ over-browsing can impede forestry restoration and reduce agriculture yields, likewise squirrels’ foraging can lead to garden and infrastructure damage. Here, I used behavioral indicators of patch use to evaluate the efficacy of a potential feeding deterrent for each species. For wallabies, I found that the presence of a phantom decoy (a food item that is present, but inaccessible) shifted their short-term food preference, but the effect diminished over time suggesting that decoys are unlikely to be an effective tool for manipulating wallabies’ long-term foraging decisions. For squirrels, I found that peppermint and chili pepper oils were most effective at reducing seed consumption, indicating that these two plant compounds have the greatest potential as squirrel feeding deterrents. Behavioral indicators of foraging can serve as a powerful management tool, revealing valuable insight into an animal’s internal state, habitat quality and food quality directly from the animal’s viewpoint.
Note: Space in 3440 is limited, this talk will also be available on zoom for folks who would like to attend remotely/if the room meets capacity.
Date posted
Feb 14, 2025
Date updated
Feb 18, 2025