Climate Change impacts on Mojave Desert Vertebrate Communities, California
Justin Brashares, Professor
Environmental Science, Policy and Management
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
Rapid climate change has amplified drought conditions in deserts, where many species already subsist at their physiological limits. However, management interventions, such as artificial water catchments may allow some wildlife to persist despite drought. This project examines the influence of artificial water catchments on large mammals, bats, birds, and reptiles across the Mojave desert ecoregion in California, USA and seeks to understand which desert species may benefit from management interventions under global climate change.
Role: We are seeking multiple students interested in field biology and wildlife to assist with the following tasks. Please indicate in your application which task(s) you would like to assist with:
1) identifying and sorting remotely triggered camera photos of medium to large mammals
2) identifying and sorting remotely triggered camera photos of small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
The students will sort camera trap photos and identify wildlife within them. Camera sorting can be done remotely on the student's own computer or a campus computer. The student will train with project scientists and then work independently, while attending weekly group check-ins.
For students with greater experience, additional tasks could include creating a species identification protocol, verifying bird or bat audio calls, or literature search.
Qualifications: No experience required to apply. Slight preference for students with experience identifying species from Southern California deserts. All students must have high attention to detail and patience with repetitive tasks. Students will be expected to work independently while participating in weekly group check-ins. Hours per week will be negotiated but at least 6-8 hours per week is preferred. Remote options available if necessary.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Amy Van Scoyoc, Post-Doc
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://nature.berkeley.edu/BrasharesGroup/
Social Sciences Environmental Issues