CURRENT RESEARCH
Deer-Coyote-Pig Ecology in the PiedmontIn the eastern US, few wildlife species are as popular and well studied as white-tailed deer. Despite this wealth of research, there remains great debate about the context-specific factors that drive differences in the number of deer on the landscape. In particular, the relatively recent arrival of coyotes to portions of the southeast has raised many concerns. A series of well publicized studies suggest that low fawn survival in a population of deer near Aiken, South Carolina was linked to coyote predation. However, we don't know if coyotes are having similar effects in other portions of the southeast where conditions vary. In 2018, in collaboration with state and federal biologists, we initiated a large multi-year study to investigate the demography and movement ecology of doe and fawn white-tailed deer in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. At the same time, we will be investigating the spatial ecology and behavior of coyotes and wild pigs in this system, providing a detailed understanding of this dynamic predator-prey relationship and the impact of these species on not only deer, but the entire mammalian community in this system. More information can be found here.
Project collaborators: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, QDMA Popular press about this project:
Hunter gut piles subsidize coyotes and make other carnivores wary - The Wildlife Society Wild pigs complicate deer movement in hunting season. Here’s what to do. -National Deer Association National Deer Association podcast on initial findings from our study showing blackberries could be key to reducing fawn predation |
Related scientific papers:
Jensen, A.J., E.A. Saldo, Z. Chapman, J.W. Butfiloski and D.S. Jachowski. 2023. Risk from a top predator and forest structure influences scavenging by smaller carnivores. Ecosphere 14:e4596. Saldo, E.R., A.J. Jensen, M.S. Muthersbaugh, J.W. Butfiloski, J. Cantrell, J.C. Kilgo, C. Ruth, G.K. Yarrow and D.S. Jachowski. 2023. Spatiotemporal overlap with invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) varies by species and season. Ecosphere 14:e4500. Jensen, A., C. Marneweck, J. Kilgo, and D.S. Jachowski. 2022. Dietary plasticity of a rapidly expanding carnivore: Coyotes in North America. Mammal Review 52:480-496. |
Black bear ecology and managementStarting in January 2024 we will be undertaking a multi-year study of black bears in South Carolina. We are looking at questions related to patterns in abundance of bears across the upstate as well as how bears as the largest mammal in our system influence the behavior and distribution of other species.
Project collaborators: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, US Geological Survey
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Roads as barriers to movementIn 2023 we started 2 new projects related to roads and their impact on species ranging from elk and bears, to weasels and mice. One project is based within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, which the famous Blue Ridge Parkway bisects and potentially influences animal movement.
The other project involves a diverse group collaborators in North Carolina involved with long-term monitoring of wildlife use of structures along Interstate 40 through the Smokey Mountains. More details on these projects coming soon... Project collaborators: National Park Association, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians
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Bringing back bisonIn central Montana, there is an attempt underway to create the largest bison herd in the world. Bison have been termed by some as a keystone species on the Great Plains, driving the structure and function of the prairie ecosystem. However, there are concerns regarding the impacts of year-round bison grazing and its potential impacts on grassland plants. We are evaluating the impact bison restoration has on plant community dynamics both now, and with the establish long-term monitoring plots, long into the future.
Project collaborators: Bureau of Land Management, American Prairie, Smithsonian Institution
Popular press about this project:
Why protecting very large swaths of land matters for wildlife - PBS Newshour In protecting land for wildlife, size matters – here’s what it takes to conserve very large areas - The Conversation |
Related scientific papers:
Jachowski, D.S., A. Boyce, and R. Baldwin. 2023. Shifting the conservation Overton Window. Conservation Biology 37:e14080 Yu, S.W., K.E. Kunkel, D.L. Hagan and D.S. Jachowski. 2023. Evaluating riparian plant communities after restoration of plains bison in the Northern Great Plains of Montana. Rangeland Ecology and Management 90:186-194. McMillan, N.A., K.E. Kunkel, D.L. Hagan and D.S. Jachowski. 2020. Assessing large herbivore management strategies in the Northern Great Plains using rangeland health metrics. Natural Areas Journal 40:273-280. McMillan, N.A., K.E. Kunkel, D.L. Hagan and D.S. Jachowski. 2019. Plant community responses to bison reintroduction on the Northern Great Plains, USA: A test of the keystone species concept. Restoration Ecology 27:379-388. |