Computational Ecology Lab - University of MontanaWe focus on developing, optimizing, and applying individual-based simulation programs for understanding relationships between biological processes, environment, and climate with population patterns across landscapes. Our goals are to produce tools that will be valuable to natural resource managers, planners, decision makers, and scientists with a stake in maintaining biodiversity, from genes to ecosystems.
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Current Research
Riverscape Demogenetics
Multispecies modeling for addressing the combined biodiversity and climate crises for species and ecosystems imperiled by landscape change. Example projects include: 1) Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Eastern Brook Trout and YY, Bull Trout in lower Pend Oreille system 2) Ascaphus in Oregon and Montana 3) Multi-species in the Skagit system |
Landscape Connectivity
Landscape genetics, habitat connectivity modeling, wildlife corridor and passage designs. Example projects include: 1) Range-wide evolutionary potential of Myotis velifer 2) Landscape genetics of Wolverine in North America 3) Genetic connectivity of Grizzly Bear in Canada, American Badger in Canada, Fisher in California, 4) Testing wildlife friendly fencing for Pronghorn in Montana |
The University of Montana resides on the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples including the Selis (Salish), Ksanka (Kootenai), and Qlispe (Kalispel). Many other Indigenous peoples including the Amskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet), Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Shoshone, Bannock, and Schitsu'umsh (Coeur D’Alene) also relied upon their traditional knowledge and relationships with this land and this space for survival in the past and today.
We acknowledge that educational, health, and legal systems have led to the direct removal, oppression, and marginalization of Indigenous people throughout Montana and the nation. The University of Montana strives to improve education, service, and scholarship for all Indigenous peoples through actions aimed at respecting tribal sovereignty, empowering Indigenous scholars, and creating safe learning environments for all students to live, work, and learn together in equitable and positive ways.
We acknowledge that educational, health, and legal systems have led to the direct removal, oppression, and marginalization of Indigenous people throughout Montana and the nation. The University of Montana strives to improve education, service, and scholarship for all Indigenous peoples through actions aimed at respecting tribal sovereignty, empowering Indigenous scholars, and creating safe learning environments for all students to live, work, and learn together in equitable and positive ways.