Animal Movement and Resource Selection - AMaRS

The AMaRS research group studies the movement patterns (dispersal, spread, migration) and resource selection of aquatic and terrestrial animals in complex landscapes. We utilize a variety of sophisticated tools to track animals (radio telemetry, GPS collars, spool-and-line, sonar, infrared) and conduct landscape mapping (GIS). A powerful movement analysis program is currently in development, AMAP (Animal Movement Analysis Program), which is used to calculate various movement metrics, perform a variety of statistical tests, and compare movement patterns with those predicted with theory. In addition, we are developing a highly flexible Monte Carlo simulation package to investigate the movement patterns of generic walkers in fragmented. There are at least three areas of research that we are engage in: terrestrial vertebrate dispersal and tracking in the context of landscape ecology, dispersal of aquatic invasive species in relation to coastal habitats, and avian dispersal and disease spread in relation to terrestrial landscapes. Facing such an array of problems over a wide range of spatial scales is challenging but well needed in order to respond to a number of pressing questions on the ambits of ecology, conservation, and health management.