 |
   |
           |
|
 | |
|
Biochemistry Cell
Biology Computational
Biology Developmental
Biology Ecology Evolution Genetics Microbiology Molecular
Biology Plant
Biology Science
Education Structural
Biology |
Professional Interests - Publications - Contact Information - Lab Personnel Professional Interests of Todd Katzner I am interested in addressing conservation problems through ecological science. In recent years much of my work has focused on birds, but previous studies have also focused on mammals and invertebrates. In recent years a great deal of my research has been conducted abroad, most in the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Some current and past lines of study are as follows:
1. Non-invasive approaches to demography of rare and endangered species. In many vertebrate populations the most difficult population parameters to estimate are often key for effective management. For example, in populations of birds of prey, breeding numbers and reproductive output are often well described. However, there is very poor knowledge of the overall size of the population (breeders + non-breeders) and mortality rates are essentially unknown. Nevertheless, demographic models consistently show that understanding these parameters is a critical element of effective population management. A major focus of my research is the application of non-invasive genetic approaches to understanding these demographic processes. This work first developed through collaboration with Dr. Andrew DeWoody at Purdue University, in the context of research on eastern imperial eagles in Kazakhstan. The original paper from that collaboration (Rudnick et al. 2005) resulted in the first ever population-wide analysis of mortality rates for any eagle population, and one of the first for any raptor population. Using these same techniques we have also been able to identify the size of the non-breeding component of this eagle population (it is 10 times larger than visual observations indicate); papers from this work are currently in review. Another component of this work involves one of the most pressing ornithological conservation issues in the world today - that of the massive population decline of Gyps vultures in south Asia. Through collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cornell University, and the USFWS, we are supervising a graduate student who will use the non-invasive demography techniques developed for eagles to evaluate population size and mortality rates of vultures in the former Soviet Union and south Asia.
2. Using models to improve monitoring of structured populations. Population monitoring is central to most demographic studies and conservation efforts, but it may not always be directed at the most appropriate life stage. In this study I used stochastic simulation modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of a monitoring program for the well-studied population of Eastern Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) that occurs at the nature reserve where I work in north-central Kazakhstan. Specifically, we asked whether the most appropriate data were being collected to understand system state and population dynamics. We used the models to conduct simulation experiments to evaluate relationships between monitored or potentially monitored parameters and the demographic variables of interest-population size (N) and population growth (l). Static analyses showed that traditional territory-based monitoring was a poor indicator of eagle population size and growth and that monitoring survivorship would provide more information about these parameters. Nevertheless, these same traditionally monitored territory-based parameters had greater power to detect long-term changes in population size than did survivorship or population structure. Regardless of the taxa considered, this work highlights the fact that threats to species can have immediate impacts on population size and growth or longer-term impacts on population dynamics. Prudently designed monitoring programs for any species will detect the demographic effects of both types of threats. 3. Assessing risks of wind energy development for eastern golden eagles, a priority "umbrella" species: conflict potential in an information void. Wind power technology supplies "green" energy, essential for reducing pollution and emissions leading to global climate change, and the ridges of Pennsylvania are nearly ideal for wind turbine placement. However, the wind resource along these same ridges is also essential for migrating raptors. Because wind turbines can pose a threat to birds, wind power development should be balanced with careful and informed consideration of negative impacts on public wildlife resources. Importantly, a unique and threatened eastern population of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) migrates along a narrow band of ridges in western and central PA. Because golden eagles are top predators and indicators of ecosystem health, they are a nearly ideal "umbrella" species for conservation. The goal of this research is to use global positioning system (GPS) telemetry to identify where and how these eagles migrate and roost as they travel from their breeding grounds in eastern Canada, through the Appalachian Mountains. Using a geographic information system (GIS), we will model these data to generate maps to show the relative risk to eagles from development of wind power in the eastern USA. Our use of these data to link topographic and environmental parameters will provide a crucial took for managers and politicians to guide more thoughtful development of wind power throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Publication
Archive Recent Publications of Todd Katzner
Katzner, T., E. Bragin, and E.J. Milner-Gulland (2006) Modelling populations of long-lived birds of prey for conservation: a study of Imperial Eagles (Aquila heliaca) in Kazakhstan. Biol. Conserv. 132:322-335
|
(
|