Applied Conservation Lab
Current Research Projects (click on project titles for poster)
Applied Conservation Lab Homepage
Small mammal communities are important for ecosystem processes and sustaining higher trophic levels. Based on the analysis of Barn owl pellets, the objective of this study is to identify shifts in small mammal community assemblages based on changes in landscape structure across the state of Pennsylvania.
Millersville University and other organizations statewide have begun a pilot project to develop non-invasive survey techniques for weasels. The goal of this project is to test various remote camera trap designs to determine effective strategies to detect weasel presence.
The goal of this research is to determine what urban habitat features promote greater bat activity and diversity to guide bat conservation efforts in urban areas. We placed AudioMoth® recording devices on green roofs and conventional roofs in Lancaster City, PA to record bat vocalizations. We used the Kaleidoscope Pro software by Wildlife Acoustics to analyze bat call vocalizations and identify species. Tentative results suggest that green roofs in conjunction with other ecological variables are associated with greater bat activity.
The introduction of invasive species is one of the main threats causing native wildlife to become threatened and endangered in the United States (US). The purpose of this research project is to identify which invasive species are the most prevalent in causing species endangerment, how invasive species impact native species and where do invasive species originate from. Our goal is to develop policy and biological control guidelines for the National Invasive Species Council in controlling and mitigating the spread of invasive species to benefit native species of wildlife in the US.
Surveying for Rare Bats in Protected Areas of Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania identifies 3 bat species as endangered, and 2 bat species in Pennsylvania are currently federally listed under the Endangered Species Act. The objective of this research project is to monitor for rare bat species in protected and urban areas in Pennsylvania via acoustic monitoring technology. All analyzed bat survey call data will be combined with other funded bat surveys efforts to contribute to Pennsylvania bat conservation efforts (Funded by Audubon Pennsylvania and Kittatinny Ridge Coalition).