As urbanization continues to reshape natural landscapes, understanding how wildlife adapt to these human-modified environments is crucial for promoting coexistence and biodiversity conservation. My research explores how vertebrate species navigate and utilize stormwater sewer systems (SSSs) in North Florida, shedding light on the behavioral adaptations within these unique urban habitats. By investigating the diversity and occupancy patterns of wildlife within SSSs, this research aims to provide valuable insights that can inform urban planning and contribute to the development of wildlife-friendly infrastructure.

Specific Projects:

• Assessing vertebrate diversity within SSSs in North Florida.

• Investigating the influence of urban construction on wildlife occupancy and behavior in SSSs.

Invasive species are considered among the largest threats to global biodiversity and can drastically alter fire regimes. My research focuses on cogongrass, an invasive species in the southeastern United States, and its impacts on ecological services. Known for its aggressive spread, cogongrass significantly threatens agricultural lands, forestry, and native ecosystems. This comprehensive study examines its effects on biodiversity and fire risk, strategies for early detection and rapid response, and the socio-economic consequences of its spread. This work is crucial for understanding how cogongrass invades and disrupts ecosystems, thereby informing better management practices and policies to mitigate its negative impacts.

Specific Projects:

• Impacts of cogongrass on fire behavior.

• Biodiversity loss due to cogongrass invasion.

• Wildlife use and behavior in cogongrass-invaded forests.