Assistant Unit Leader - North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
- Demographic Processes and Conservation
- Species-habitat relationships
- Endangered Species Conservation
Teaching Interests
- Hierarchical Species-Habitat Modeling
- Tropical Avian Biology
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 1991-
Education and Certifications
PhD-Iowa State University
MS-University of Idaho
BS-Universtity of Puerto Rico
Science and Products
Webinar: Climate Adaptation Science to Support Amphibian Conservation in the U.S. Caribbean
View this webinar to learn more about a climate-informed adaptation strategy for vulnerable species in the Caribbean.
Informing Conservation Management Decision-Making at Coastal National Wildlife Refuges
Coastal National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) provide a myriad of beneficial services, including buffering storm surge, improving water quality, supporting commercial fisheries, and providing habitat for imperiled wildlife and plants. Yet in the last century, coastal ecosystems in the eastern U.S. have been severely altered by human development activities as well as sea-level rise and more frequent ext
Assessing Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S.
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for rare wildlife and plants, improved water quality, and recreation opportunities. Understanding how climate change will affect these ecosystems is vital for knowing how best to protect them and the services they supply. The goal of this project was to assess the climate change vulne
SERAP: Assessment of Climate and Land Use Change Impacts on Terrestrial Species
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the USGS integrated models of urbanization and vegetation dynamics with the regional climate models to predict vegetation dynamics and assess how landscape change could impact priority species, including North American land birds. This integrated ensemble of models can be used to predict locations where responses to climate change are most lik
SERAP: Modeling of Global and Land Use Change Impacts
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers and conserv
SERAP: Comprehensive Web-based Climate Change Projections: Downscaled Maps and Data
A team of USGS and academic researchers developed a comprehensive web-based dataset of high-resolution (or ‘downscaled’) climate change projections, enabling scientists and decision-makers to better assess climate related ecosystem impacts. The research team implemented a three-part plan to provide high resolution climate data for the impact modeling community. First, a database was developed of u...
Southeast Regional Assessment Project (SERAP): Assessing Global Change Impacts on Natural and Human Systems in the Southeast
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers and conserv
Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022
Amphibians are vulnerable to extinction owing, partly, to altered physiological processes induced by projected global warming and drying. Understanding the mechanisms behind their responses is essential to formulate adaptation strategies for their conservation. Puerto Rico harbors 15 endemic Eleutherodactylus frogs considered vulnerable to extinction due to poor vagility and sensitivity to environ
Filter Total Items: 46
Linking demographic rates to local environmental conditions: Empirical data to support climate adaptation strategies for Eleutherodactylus frogs
Conducting managed species translocations and establishing climate change refugia are adaptation strategies to cope with projected consequences of global warming, but successful implementation requires on-the-ground validation of demographic responses to transient climate conditions. Here we estimated the effect of nine abiotic and biotic factors on local occupancy and an index of abundance (few o
Authors
A.C. Rivera-Burgos, Jaime A. Collazo, Adam Terando, Krishna Pacifici
Climate change is creating a mismatch between protected areas and suitable habitats for frogs and birds in Puerto Rico
Climate change is altering the spatial distribution of many species around the world. In response, we need to identify and protect suitable areas for a large proportion of the fauna so that they persist through time. This exercise must also evaluate the ability of existing protected areas to provide safe havens for species in the context of climate change. Here, we combined passive acoustic monito
Authors
Marconi Campos-Cerqueira, Adam Terando, Brent Murray, Jaime A. Collazo, Mitchell Aide
The influence of floral resources and microclimate on pollinator visitation in an agro-ecosystem
As agriculture expands to meet the needs of a growing global population, natural ecosystems are threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Tropical agroforestry systems offer a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture by providing food for production while also supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Previous studies have shown that these systems may even improve crop
Authors
S.G. Prado, Jaime A. Collazo, M.H. Marand, R.E. Irwin
Coffee plantations, hurricanes and avian resiliency: Insights from occupancy, and local colonization and extinction rates in Puerto Rico
Insights on impacts and resiliency of avian species with respect to hurricanes in the Caribbean have largely focused on responses measured in protected habitats. We assessed avian responses in non-protected habitat, specifically shade-restored coffee plantations, because their structural complexity retains many attributes of secondary forests, and may contribute to landscape scale species resilie
Authors
Amarilys D. Irizarry, Jaime A. Collazo, J. Vandermeer, I. Perfecto
Survey design optimization for monitoring wildlife communities in areas managed for federally endangered species
In wildlife communities composed of federally endangered species, there are often several species of conservation concern that have not yet warranted federally mandated protection. These species often need continued monitoring to inform the direction of future management. While recovering endangered species is an important conservation goal, practitioners are challenged by balancing federally mand
Authors
B.S. Pease, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. Collazo
Using biodiversity metrics to guide conservation planning in altered tropical landscapes
Biodiversity metrics are frequently used to guide conservation planning because they can summarize biogeographical attributes of plant and animal communities quickly and at multiple scales. Attributes include habitat features of high conservation value, representativeness, and redundancy of biological communities. We conducted a rapid ecological assessment of resident avian species in the west-cen
Authors
K. E. Battle, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. Collazo, B. J. Reigh
High‐resolution dynamically downscaled rainfall and temperature projections for ecological life zones within Puerto Rico and for the U.S. Virgin Islands
The weather research and forecasting (WRF) model and a combination of the regional spectral model (RSM) and the Japanese Meteorological Agency Non‐Hydrostatic Model (NHM) were used to dynamically downscale selected CMIP5 global climate models to provide 2‐km projections with hourly model output for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Two 20‐year time slices were downscaled for historical (198
Authors
Jared H. Bowden, Adam Terando, Vasu Misra, Adrienne Wootten, Amit Bhardwaj, Ryan Boyles, William A. Gould, Jaime A. Collazo, Tanya Spero
Estimating the drivers of species distributions with opportunistic data using mediation analysis
Ecological occupancy modeling has historically relied on high-quality, low-quantity designed-survey data for estimation and prediction. In recent years, there has been a large increase in the amount of high-quantity, unknown-quality opportunistic data. This has motivated research on how best to combine these two data sources in order to optimize inference. Existing methods can be infeasible for la
Authors
D. B. Huberman, B. J. Reich, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. Collazo
Influence of habitat structure and prey abundance on cccupancy and abundance of two anole ecomorphs, Anolis cristatellus and Anolis krugi, in secondary karst forests in northern Puerto Rico
Ecological studies strive to identify factors that explain patterns of species distribution and abundance. In lizards, competition and predation are major forces influencing distribution and abundance, but there is also increasing evidence pointing at the influence of habitat structure and prey abundance. Our work explored the latter further by quantifying the effects of vegetation and prey abunda
Authors
S. J. Vega-Castillo, Jaime A. Collazo, A. R. Puente-Rolón, E. Cuevas
Factors that influence participation of Puerto Rican coffee farmers in conservation programs
Sustainable, conservation-oriented agricultural practices like shade coffee and agroforestry can enhance conservation objectives in tropical landscapes. Adoption of these practices, however, is influenced by numerous factors. We conducted a survey of 89 coffee farmers in Puerto Rico to understand their farming practices, experience with existing incentives, and willingness to participate in conser
Authors
Tatiana M. Gladkikh, Jaime A. Collazo, Alejandro Torres-Abreu, Angelica M. Reyes, Marysol Molina
Population estimates of Antillean manatees in Puerto Rico: An analytical framework for aerial surveys using multi-pass removal sampling
Effective management of the threatened Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Puerto Rico requires reliable estimates of population size. Estimates are needed to assess population responses to management actions, and whether recovery objectives have been met. Aerial surveys have been conducted since 1976, but none adjusted for imperfect detection. We summarize surveys since 1976, report
Authors
Jaime A. Collazo, M.J. Krachey, K.H. Pollock, F.J. Pérez-Aguilo, J.P. Zegarra, A.A. Mignucci-Giannoni
A comparison of coffee floral traits under two different agricultural practices
Floral traits and rewards are important in mediating interactions between plants and pollinators. Agricultural management practices can affect abiotic factors known to influence floral traits; however, our understanding of the links between agricultural practices and floral trait expression is still poorly understood. Variation in floral morphological, nectar, and pollen traits of two important ag
Authors
S.G. Prado, Jaime A. Collazo, P.C. Stevenson, R.E. Irwin
Science and Products
- Science
Webinar: Climate Adaptation Science to Support Amphibian Conservation in the U.S. Caribbean
View this webinar to learn more about a climate-informed adaptation strategy for vulnerable species in the Caribbean.Informing Conservation Management Decision-Making at Coastal National Wildlife Refuges
Coastal National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) provide a myriad of beneficial services, including buffering storm surge, improving water quality, supporting commercial fisheries, and providing habitat for imperiled wildlife and plants. Yet in the last century, coastal ecosystems in the eastern U.S. have been severely altered by human development activities as well as sea-level rise and more frequent extAssessing Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems in the Southeastern U.S.
The southeastern U.S. contains a unique diversity of ecosystems that provide important benefits, including habitat for rare wildlife and plants, improved water quality, and recreation opportunities. Understanding how climate change will affect these ecosystems is vital for knowing how best to protect them and the services they supply. The goal of this project was to assess the climate change vulneSERAP: Assessment of Climate and Land Use Change Impacts on Terrestrial Species
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the USGS integrated models of urbanization and vegetation dynamics with the regional climate models to predict vegetation dynamics and assess how landscape change could impact priority species, including North American land birds. This integrated ensemble of models can be used to predict locations where responses to climate change are most likSERAP: Modeling of Global and Land Use Change Impacts
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers and conservSERAP: Comprehensive Web-based Climate Change Projections: Downscaled Maps and Data
A team of USGS and academic researchers developed a comprehensive web-based dataset of high-resolution (or ‘downscaled’) climate change projections, enabling scientists and decision-makers to better assess climate related ecosystem impacts. The research team implemented a three-part plan to provide high resolution climate data for the impact modeling community. First, a database was developed of u...Southeast Regional Assessment Project (SERAP): Assessing Global Change Impacts on Natural and Human Systems in the Southeast
The Southeastern United States spans a broad range of physiographic settings and maintains exceptionally high levels of faunal diversity. Unfortunately, many of these ecosystems are increasingly under threat due to rapid human development, and management agencies are increasingly aware of the potential effects that climate change will have on these ecosystems. Natural resource managers and conserv - Data
Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022
Amphibians are vulnerable to extinction owing, partly, to altered physiological processes induced by projected global warming and drying. Understanding the mechanisms behind their responses is essential to formulate adaptation strategies for their conservation. Puerto Rico harbors 15 endemic Eleutherodactylus frogs considered vulnerable to extinction due to poor vagility and sensitivity to environ - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 46
Linking demographic rates to local environmental conditions: Empirical data to support climate adaptation strategies for Eleutherodactylus frogs
Conducting managed species translocations and establishing climate change refugia are adaptation strategies to cope with projected consequences of global warming, but successful implementation requires on-the-ground validation of demographic responses to transient climate conditions. Here we estimated the effect of nine abiotic and biotic factors on local occupancy and an index of abundance (few oAuthorsA.C. Rivera-Burgos, Jaime A. Collazo, Adam Terando, Krishna PacificiClimate change is creating a mismatch between protected areas and suitable habitats for frogs and birds in Puerto Rico
Climate change is altering the spatial distribution of many species around the world. In response, we need to identify and protect suitable areas for a large proportion of the fauna so that they persist through time. This exercise must also evaluate the ability of existing protected areas to provide safe havens for species in the context of climate change. Here, we combined passive acoustic monitoAuthorsMarconi Campos-Cerqueira, Adam Terando, Brent Murray, Jaime A. Collazo, Mitchell AideThe influence of floral resources and microclimate on pollinator visitation in an agro-ecosystem
As agriculture expands to meet the needs of a growing global population, natural ecosystems are threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Tropical agroforestry systems offer a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture by providing food for production while also supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Previous studies have shown that these systems may even improve cropAuthorsS.G. Prado, Jaime A. Collazo, M.H. Marand, R.E. IrwinCoffee plantations, hurricanes and avian resiliency: Insights from occupancy, and local colonization and extinction rates in Puerto Rico
Insights on impacts and resiliency of avian species with respect to hurricanes in the Caribbean have largely focused on responses measured in protected habitats. We assessed avian responses in non-protected habitat, specifically shade-restored coffee plantations, because their structural complexity retains many attributes of secondary forests, and may contribute to landscape scale species resilieAuthorsAmarilys D. Irizarry, Jaime A. Collazo, J. Vandermeer, I. PerfectoSurvey design optimization for monitoring wildlife communities in areas managed for federally endangered species
In wildlife communities composed of federally endangered species, there are often several species of conservation concern that have not yet warranted federally mandated protection. These species often need continued monitoring to inform the direction of future management. While recovering endangered species is an important conservation goal, practitioners are challenged by balancing federally mandAuthorsB.S. Pease, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. CollazoUsing biodiversity metrics to guide conservation planning in altered tropical landscapes
Biodiversity metrics are frequently used to guide conservation planning because they can summarize biogeographical attributes of plant and animal communities quickly and at multiple scales. Attributes include habitat features of high conservation value, representativeness, and redundancy of biological communities. We conducted a rapid ecological assessment of resident avian species in the west-cenAuthorsK. E. Battle, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. Collazo, B. J. ReighHigh‐resolution dynamically downscaled rainfall and temperature projections for ecological life zones within Puerto Rico and for the U.S. Virgin Islands
The weather research and forecasting (WRF) model and a combination of the regional spectral model (RSM) and the Japanese Meteorological Agency Non‐Hydrostatic Model (NHM) were used to dynamically downscale selected CMIP5 global climate models to provide 2‐km projections with hourly model output for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Two 20‐year time slices were downscaled for historical (198AuthorsJared H. Bowden, Adam Terando, Vasu Misra, Adrienne Wootten, Amit Bhardwaj, Ryan Boyles, William A. Gould, Jaime A. Collazo, Tanya SperoEstimating the drivers of species distributions with opportunistic data using mediation analysis
Ecological occupancy modeling has historically relied on high-quality, low-quantity designed-survey data for estimation and prediction. In recent years, there has been a large increase in the amount of high-quantity, unknown-quality opportunistic data. This has motivated research on how best to combine these two data sources in order to optimize inference. Existing methods can be infeasible for laAuthorsD. B. Huberman, B. J. Reich, Krishna Pacifici, Jaime A. CollazoInfluence of habitat structure and prey abundance on cccupancy and abundance of two anole ecomorphs, Anolis cristatellus and Anolis krugi, in secondary karst forests in northern Puerto Rico
Ecological studies strive to identify factors that explain patterns of species distribution and abundance. In lizards, competition and predation are major forces influencing distribution and abundance, but there is also increasing evidence pointing at the influence of habitat structure and prey abundance. Our work explored the latter further by quantifying the effects of vegetation and prey abundaAuthorsS. J. Vega-Castillo, Jaime A. Collazo, A. R. Puente-Rolón, E. CuevasFactors that influence participation of Puerto Rican coffee farmers in conservation programs
Sustainable, conservation-oriented agricultural practices like shade coffee and agroforestry can enhance conservation objectives in tropical landscapes. Adoption of these practices, however, is influenced by numerous factors. We conducted a survey of 89 coffee farmers in Puerto Rico to understand their farming practices, experience with existing incentives, and willingness to participate in conserAuthorsTatiana M. Gladkikh, Jaime A. Collazo, Alejandro Torres-Abreu, Angelica M. Reyes, Marysol MolinaPopulation estimates of Antillean manatees in Puerto Rico: An analytical framework for aerial surveys using multi-pass removal sampling
Effective management of the threatened Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Puerto Rico requires reliable estimates of population size. Estimates are needed to assess population responses to management actions, and whether recovery objectives have been met. Aerial surveys have been conducted since 1976, but none adjusted for imperfect detection. We summarize surveys since 1976, reportAuthorsJaime A. Collazo, M.J. Krachey, K.H. Pollock, F.J. Pérez-Aguilo, J.P. Zegarra, A.A. Mignucci-GiannoniA comparison of coffee floral traits under two different agricultural practices
Floral traits and rewards are important in mediating interactions between plants and pollinators. Agricultural management practices can affect abiotic factors known to influence floral traits; however, our understanding of the links between agricultural practices and floral trait expression is still poorly understood. Variation in floral morphological, nectar, and pollen traits of two important agAuthorsS.G. Prado, Jaime A. Collazo, P.C. Stevenson, R.E. Irwin