Animal Ecology Research

 Animal Ecology Lab

In the Animal Ecology lab we study various plant-animal interactions in and around the Great Basin. In northeastern California and western Nevada we are investigating the role of small mammals and birds in the dispersal of western and Utah juniper seeds. The predation of western juniper seeds by arthropods, and its impacts on seeds available for dispersal is another project we are working on in collaboration with the Entomology lab. Other ongoing studies include the effects of invasive species such as saltcedar on small mammal communities, and restoration of Indian ricegrass using diversionary seeding to influence caching by desert rodents and improve seedling recruitment.