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Events

PhD Dissertation Defense - Environmental Science & Policy

Apr 10, 2023, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Hybrid

PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University

 

Candidate: Krista Shires
Defense Date and Time: April 10, 2023 at 9:00am
Defense Location: Exploratory Hall 3301 and virtual (contact Krista Shires for Zoom information, kshires@gmu.edu)
Title: Effects of Urbanization on the Distribution, Assemblages, and Health of Wildlife Communities in Washington, D.C. 

Dissertation Director: Dr. Karen Akerlof 
Committee: Dr. Travis Gallo (co-chair), Dr. Ellen Rodgers, Dr. David Luther, Dr. Mason Fidino   

 

ABSTRACT

Rapid, global-scale urbanization makes research vital to understanding how humans and wildlife can successfully co-exist. I adopt the framework of Ecology in the City, Ecology of the City and Ecology for the city as a guide with which to examine the effects of urbanization on species distribution, assemblages, and health in Washington, D.C. I will 1) Investigate the influence of human voices on species occupancy 2) Assess deer health across an urban gradient using non-invasive techniques 3) Explore the relationship between lead levels in wild rats and humans that live in their vicinity. ​​​​​​​

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