My
research centers on understanding the ecology and evolution
of phenotypic traits that are also important to conservation.
Birds are used for tests because behaviors and fitness components
can be readily measured and they are widespread across habitats
and ecosystems.
I focus on questions within four areas all centered around
bird breeding biology: what are the ecological and evolutionary
determinants of: 1) Life History Strategies and Population
Dynamics, 2) Species Coexistence, 3) Habitat and Nest Site
Selection, and 4) Social Behavior and Sexual Selection?
These topics include examination of responses of birds
and their habitat to climate change, anthropogenic disturbance,
large ungulate browsing, and land management programs.
Field work is conducted in an
ongoing long-term (since 1985) study of
a high elevation riparian system in northern Arizona, plus
field
studies in Yacambu National Park in the northern Andes
of Venezuela (6
years, ending 2008),and collaborative work in New Zealand
and Tasmania.
A new project is scheduled to begin in Borneo in 2009.
Graduate
students work on these sites or in Montana.
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