Black Tern Breeding Response to Multiple StressorsSt. Clair Flats, Michigan
Great Lakes coastal wetlands and wildlife are under multiple threats including development, invasive species, and pollutants. How such stressors interact with climate-change initiated, extreme lake level fluctuations and alter wildlife
populations is not well understood. My research investigated the rapid decline of black tern (Chlidonias niger) over eight years in one of Michigan’s largest colonies, Lake St. Clair. I employed field monitoring and remotely sensed data, finding that breeding habitat could not shift upland with rising water, as coastlines were developed or invaded by Phragmites australis. Subjected to progressively deeper and unstable habitat, nests were likely more exposed to inclement weather and aquatic predators. Publication pending, link to thesis Link to ESRI Storymap |
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Juvenile Black Tern Movement Ecology and SurvivorshipSt. Clair Flats and Wigwam Bay, Michigan
Extremely little is known about black tern juvenile survival rates or movements after fledgling. Their precocial nature after hatching has made it incredibly difficult to accurately track survival and monitor without detrimental disturbance to the nests. Starting in 2019, I helped deploy nest cameras to track chick survival at nests, tracked clutch ages, and left nests undisturbed until chicks were >50 g. These larger, less vulnerable young were given nano-tag radio transmitters to track at the colony using a handheld receiver, and after leaving the colony through international MOTUS tower networks. This work has been largely lead under Dr. Alex Jahn through Indiana University.
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Wetland Habitat Classification using Radar-Sat 2St. Clair Flats, Michigan
Black terns and other marshbirds including Forester terns, American coot, and Pied-billed grebe heavily rely on dead floating vegetation mats in coastal wetlands like that of St. Clair Flats, Michigan. This habitat has been under considerable stress due to invasive species encroachment (Phragmites Australis, Typha spp.), anthropogenic development, and recent lake level extremes. Research strongly suggests the cause of black tern declines to be a result of habitat loss - mainly consisting of dead floating vegetation. In partnership with MTRI, we are studying the use of RADARSAT-2 data and ground-truthed field data to classify common genera (e.g., Phgramites, Typha, Shoenoplectus) and the more elusive dead matted vegetation that is critical for black tern nest building. Additionally, we are investigating relationships between nesting success and polarimetric data.
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Past Research Projects
Inland Black Tern MonitoringAudubon Great Lakes | Wigwam Bay, Michigan
Audubon Great Lakes funds ongoing black tern research efforts at other colonies in the region, helping to better understand their regional population health and nesting success. I assisted and lead fieldwork (monitoring and banding) at Wigwam Bay State Wildlife Area. We primarily used nest cameras to determine causes of nest failure and management concerns in inland/diked weltands.
Rare Plant Demography and Gopher Tortoise Disturbance ProjectArchbold Biological Station | Venus, Florida
Gopher tortoises are considered an ecological keystone species to the pyrogenic Florida Scrub ecosystem. Characteristic burrowing and foraging behavior may contribute to microhabitat "regeneration niche" creation and potential rare plant species biodiversity. My independent research project at the Archbold Biological station investigated this phenomenon and found the highest biodiversity - greater species evenness and lowered interspecies competition - in active tortoise burrows. I also assisted with rare plant demography monitoring as a plant ecology program intern.
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Early Successional Songbird MonitoringOhio State University | Cadiz, Ohio
I assisted with M.Sc. student Lewis Lolya and one other technician at the Ohio State University, researching early successional songbirds nesting along pipeline-fragmented deciduous forests.
Fragmented Forest Ecology and Soil Microbial DiversityPierce Cedar Creek Research Institute | Hastings, Michigan
With growing anthropogenic development and consequential fragmentation of forests, a better understanding of its effects on forest health is imperative for proper management. Working in a team of 4 interns, we set up EREN permanent forest plots, surveyed vegetation growth, and measured soil microorganism metabolic activity (microbial functional diversity). We found that invasive species and historical management over proximity to the edge had a greater effect on plant biodiversity and reduced microorganism activity.
Michigan Sand Dune Geospatial ResearchHope College | Western Michigan
In the early 20th century, Michigan sand dunes underwent stabilization management due to concerns over encroachment on human developments. This severely reduced critical habitat for a large portion of listed flora and fauna. I investigated 8 counties for historical sand dune loss on Lake Michigan's shoreline due to developments or re-forestation. Used historical aerial images and geo-rectified, classified, and quantified open dune extent using ArcGIS and remote sensing tools. Results found between 42 - 62% open dune loss between 1938 and 2005. I also worked in small undergraduate research teams to classify local interdunal wetlands at the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area (SHNA) including wetland plant species, topography, and hydrological measurements for ongoing research.
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