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RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

My common theme of research had been to assess and predict anthropogenic effects (mainly climate change and overexploitation) on avian populations.

 

Key words: Wildlife management and conservation; Population Dynamics; Behavioral Ecology

 

Although I still study wildlife population dynamics and life history strategies, my lab has lead me to diversify my interests to habitat use, foraging behavior, and roosting behavior as it relates to conservation issues. I have also expanded my research to other taxa, particularly bats, and I have been involved in projects on reptiles (turtles and sea snakes).

Bluebird Research

The avian study species in my lab is the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), a secondary cavity nester that uses nest boxes allowing for multiple questions to be easily addressed.

 

The main study site is located in Arkansas, about 10km north of A-State Jonesboro campus.

 

Past projects:

  • Temporal and spatial patterns of population dynamics and climate change

  • Frequency of visits and predator guards effect on nest success and probability of return

Current projects:

  • Body size under climate change

  • Natural selection from extreme snowstorm

  • Nest parasites (collaboration with Knutie lab, UConn)

  

For more information, check the lab members page or visit my bluebird page.

Bat Research

While some species deserve a special focus because of their endangered status, others being more abundant offer a better chance to improve our understanding of their foraging and roosting ecology.

 

Study sites are the Ozark National Forest as well as the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, both in Arkansas.

 

Past projects:

  • Gray bat foraging movements using aerial telemetry

  • Sexual segregation in foraging sites in Evening bats

  • Fall and winter roosting ecology of Rafinesque's and Southeastern bats

  • Distribution and roosting ecology of Eastern Small-footed Bats in the Ouachitas

Current projects:​

  • Winter roosting tricolored bats in road culverts, Southern Arkansas

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For more information, check the lab members page or visit the bat page.

Seabird Research

Seabirds and coastal birds face threats on land at at sea. These sea-dwelling birds, breeding on remote, uninhabited islands or not, can be threatened by introduced predators, overfishing, and other human activities such as oil spills. There is a need to determine (and quantify) the relative impact of these factors.

 

Study sites are in coastal Louisiana and the Caribbean through collaborations, a indicated below.

 

Recent projects:

  • Nesting success, harvest, and invasive predators in Grenadine seabirds, with Natalia Collier, Environmental Protection In the Caribbean.

  • Foraging behavior of nesting Royal Terns and Black Skimmers using GPS technology, with Dr. Aaron Pierce, Nicholls State University, LA. 

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Ozark Pocket Gopher (Photo by Matt Connior)
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Other Research

The Rolland Lab welcomes collaborations with other labs. These collaborations have led to projects that do not fit in the above taxa categories. However, most fit within similar lines of research (e.g., population dynamics, movement, habitat use).

 

Current projects:

  • Fall dispersal and genetic diversity in the Ozark Pocket gopher, a geographically restricted sub-species.

  • Stress factors influencing antler asymmetry in White-tailed deer.

  • Population dynamics model of red-eared sliders integrating their physiology

  • American Kestrels as pest control agents in agricultural fields through a nest box program

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