Behavior, Ecology, Conservation
Introduction of human-caused noise and changes in light can cause substantial challenges for wildlife. To date, our work has shown that adult birds’ and nestlings’ vocal communication is disrupted by human noise pollution and that this can result in decreased strength of pair bonds and lower reproductive success. We are currently investigating how birds hear the world around them and how this will affect how we quantify, model, and predict the potential negative effects of noise pollution.
In our lab group we study human-wildlife interactions, often viewing the challenge and problems from the point of view of the wildlife. Like the Lorax who "speaks for the trees", we use animal senses to try to empathize with and represent the interests of wildlife. By understanding how animals sense (hear, see, smell, etc.) and respond (or not) to a fast-changing human-affected environment, we are striving to produce sustainable solutions for conservation and better understand and illustrate the importance of biodiversity for society.
Sensory ecology and human-wildlife coexistence
Window Collisions
In the US alone, almost a billion birds die each year from window collisions. This is a major conservation threat. We have developed new and improved ways to assess the effectiveness of technologies to reduce bird-window collisions, including those that appear almost entirely transparent to humans--so not causing aesthetic issues for property owners. We are also collaborating with partners to design new technologies. For example, we are developing a prototype window collision sensor so we can monitor incidents more accurately and test mitigation technologies more quickly in the field.
Bird-Solar Interactions
To limit global climate change, the US (and many other nations) is (are) rolling out utility-scale solar farms at a rapid pace. In collaboration with the US Department of Energy, Argonne National Lab, and other partners, we are investigating the effects of these solar installations on wildlife--and birds in particular. One part of that is understanding whether the highly polarized light reflected from solar panels gives the illusion of water and might pose a collision risk for waterbirds. So far, we have found very little evidence of a collision risk. However, we have learned that solar sites, perhaps with a litle augmentation, can be sites where many grassland and forest edge species can forage and breed. There are solutions that will generate renewable energy and provide suitable habitat for wildlife.
Sonic Nets
Building from our understanding of how birds respond to noise, we have turned the tables on our knowledge to design acoustic stimuli and technology that will deliberately deter birds from socioeconomically important areas. Specifically, if we broadcast a spatially-controlled net of sound into an area that stops birds from hearing each other, their state of fear increases and they leave to go elsewhere. They don't habituate as their real sense of danger increases. These "Sonic Nets" are delivered through seaker systems at places such as farms and airports where some birds can do tremendous damage. They move the birds on to quieter sites. The Sonic Nets can also be deployed at places where birds are harmed, e.g., polluted sites. We've shown that this idea works in both captive and field conditions, and the Sonic Net technology has been commercialized with Flock Free.
Acoustic Lighthouse
Globally, billions of birds die each year when they collide with large human-built structures, such as buildings, wind turbines, and communication towers. We've developed a new way of thinking about how to limit those collisions. As birds fly during daytime migration they are often looking at the ground and their eyes are positioned toward the side of their skulls. Hence, they are not looking where they are going. By projecting a conspicuous sound field in front of a collision-risk object, we grab the visual attention of the bird and reduce the risk of collision. We've demonstrated the effectiveness of the "Acoustic Lighthouse" in captivity and in field trials that show substantial reduction of collisions with tall communication towers.
Safer Wildlife Road Crossings
Keeping wildlife off busy roads and helping them to cross safely is a win-win situation. There would be fewer road accidents and habitat would be more connected. We are working with colleagues at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to identify problem hotspots and collaborate with NGOs and Virginia Department of Transportation to design effective mitigation and improve efficacy of current infrastructure that wildlife use to cross roads safely (e.g., culverts and underpasses).
One Health approaches to wellbeing
Heavy Metals, the Environment, and Health
Through various industrial and artisanal processes, heavy metal pollution is increasing globally--even affecting the most remote ecosystems. Our studies have shown that exposure to low concentrations of metals, such as mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), influence many aspects of physiology (cellular immune responses, adreno-coriticol responses), development (neural formation, brain language center development, sperm production and fertility), and behavior (mate preferences, male song, flight mechanics, foraging strategy, antipredatory tactics) in a variety of species (zebra finches, European starlings, house sparrows). Although these concentrations are below official "safe levels", we still see profound sublethal effects on birds that influence individual performance and population persistence.