Submitted by Dr. Adina MEREN... on
Research in the Merenlender lab focuses on understanding and addressing how climate and land-use change affect biodiversity, with particular respect to the role of protected areas and corridors for maintaining connectivity between fragmented and isolated plant and wildlife populations. In order to conserve species in the face of climate and land-use change, we first need a detailed understanding of the current patterns and threats of biodiversity, which are surprisingly poorly known throughout much of the world. Through this research project, students will reveal current priorities (where current biodiversity and threats are high) and potential opportunities (where future biodiversity will likely be high and current threats are low) to inform long-term conservation strategies for montane species.
In this research project, students will obtain and map the current distributions of bird, mammal, and amphibian species from data they compile from multiple sources, including the Map of Life, the IUCN Red List, and several online databases, including the Handbooks of the Birds and Mammals of the World. Students will also research, obtain, and compile geospatial data on threats to montane biodiversity, including extents and densities of agriculture and crops, forest loss, and human populations. With training from the principal investigators, students will create biodiversity and threat maps to highlight conservation priorities and opportunities in several regions around the world.
Students will gain experience in compiling species databases and using mapping software in ArcGIS and R to map species distributions and environmental threats from their compiled data. Students will have the opportunity to design a poster of their results and present their findings at a SPUR poster session at the end of the semester. Results from this work will be part of a larger effort to develop conservation plans to facilitate species adaptation to climate change.
1. Compile biodiversity and threat distribution data for montane bird, mammal, and amphibian species around the world obtained from several sources (see above)
- Develop skills in searching for and acquiring publicly available data
- Gain experience in database management using Excel and R
2. Map species and environmental threat distributions from compiled databases
- Instruction provided for spatial and statistical analysis using ArcGIS and R
3. Informal writing (blog posts)
4. Poster presentation of results
- Create figures and graphics of research results
- Practice presenting results to audiences
Analytical skills:
1. Familiarity with spreadsheet creation in Excel
2. Experience with spatial and statistical analysis (ArcGIS and R) desired, but instruction will be provided
Communication skills:
1. Strong writing skills
2. Strong computer skills
3. Graphics experience (Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop) would be helpful