Akcakaya Lab

An international team of experts proposes a decision-making framework for assisted colonization, a controversial conservation measure for saving species impacted by climate change and invasive species. doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70…

Our new paper describes a new global indicator ---based on the #GreenStatusOfSpecies---for monitoring progress toward meeting #biodiversity goals for species recovery, and for tracking the impact of conservation actions. doi.org/10.1111/cobi.7…

Conservation policies must be reconsidered when they’re founded on flawed research -- doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2… -- as has happened recently with the USFWS policy on gopher tortoise, which was based on a flawed metapopulation model.

New paper on two decades of development and application of the Red List Index. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rs…

New paper out now in @AnimalEcology! @bilgecan_sen, @cchecastaldo, and I show that species distribution models are poor predictors of species demography. However, SDMs predicted higher habitat suitability in source populations, compared to sinks. doi.org/10.1111/1365-2…

My former PhD advisor, @AkcakayaLab, is recruiting a new PhD student! Resit was an excellent PhD advisor and I learned so much from him. Please circulate!

In addition to this, I’ve found blatant factual errors in the listing decision regarding population ecology during our detailed review. Source- have done turtle population ecology for ~10 years. Florida moved half of all GTs out of their burrows in the last ten years. Insane.

Flawed model leads @USFWS to deny protection to the Gopher Tortoise. Please RT -- We want to raise awareness on this issue so that FWS is compelled to reverse its decision. Read about it here: doi.org/10.1016/j.gecc…

PhD Candidate @AriekNorford published his first chapter in @j_trop_ecol! Authors combined the undergrad theses of two authors to compare the role of woolly, howler, and capuchin monkeys in seed dispersal. Check out the paper and the graphical abstract: doi.org/10.1017/S02664…

Our method integrates projections of the spatial spread of disease into IUCN Red List assessments under three different Red List Criteria: A3 (future population reductions), D2 (plausible future threats), and E (probability of extinction).

Due to the fast rate of spread of many infectious diseases, being able to assess the extinction risk of impacted amphibian host species - especially before more detailed (and often more time-intensive) models can be developed - is of critical conservation importance.

Our new paper (with @kelseygoeswild, @lou900103, Stefan Lotters, and An Martel) presents a new method for identifying amphibian species that are at the highest risk of extinction due to emergeing infectious diseases. You can read the article here: authors.elsevier.com/a/1hSe61R%7EeS…

Lab member and PhD Candidate @annainthefield was recently awarded a @stonybrooku President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student! Anna is a TA for the Landscape Ecology and Statistics and Data Analysis courses, and mentors students in the field in Puerto Rico.

Can finance help conserve #biodiversity? 🦇🐧🐒🐭🧬🦎🐢🌱🌳🦐🦞🦟🍄🧫 See the analysis of two metrics by a team including @AkcakayaLab out as #preprint osf.io/preprints/soca…

New paper - out now in @ConBiology - demonstrates a method for prioritizing species conservation programs (esp. translocation/reintroduction) using conservation impact metrics of the IUCN Green Status of Species in a structured decision-making framework. conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.11…

Current PhD student @AriekNorford and former Akçakaya Lab intern @leicurtis04 will be at #oSTEM2022 this Saturday, where Leila will present their independent research on mustelid diet!

. @AkcakayaLab #gradstudents @AriekNorford @annainthefield were at #atbc2022 in Cartagena!

Right now the world 🌍🌎🌏 is negotiating a #post2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, but can threatened species recover by reducing threats? Turns out >50% of species require targeted efforts👇🏼@AkcakayaLab esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.10…

The owner of the reserve is looking to expand research activity both by Colombian and international researchers. Follow @reyzamuromatarredonda on IG for more information.