Carnivore Co-existence in Forested Ecosystems: Insights from Non-invasive Sampling of Large Predators
The SENR Seminar Series welcomes Marcella J. Kelly, Professor, Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. She will present Carnivore Co-existence in Forested Ecosystems: Insights from Non-invasive Sampling of Large Predators in 164 Howlett Hall and 123 Williams Hall.
Carnivores are difficult to study due to their elusive, wide-ranging nature and naturally low densities. This is especially true for predators living in forested ecosystems. My lab uses remotely triggered cameras, sign surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling to gain insight into carnivore guild ecology in forested ecosystems across multiple study sites in the US and abroad. Ultimately we are interested in how competition among predators shapes carnivore communities. Our studies have shown that forest carnivore species exhibit high degrees of spatial overlap and show little evidence for meso-predator release (in smaller carnivores). Temporal separation may be more important than spatial in promoting co-occurrence. In this talk I will present results from long term monitoring projects for felids in Belize and Sumatra, and for the lesser known carnivores in Madagascar.
The presentation will be available through Carmen Connect.