Kathleen Longshore
Dr. Kathy Longshore is a Scientist Emeritus with the Western Ecological Research Center.
Her research interests are in animal ecology with emphasis in the application of behavioral ecology to wildlife management and conservation in arid ecosystems. Behavioral indicators can provide an early warning to population declines or habitat degradation before numerical or ecosystem-level responses are evident. As such, they can be used to monitor the effectiveness of management programs. Dr. Longshore's work encompasses both basic and applied aspects of animal behavior with a specific focus on direct and indirect anthropogenic impacts on animal behavior that may in turn, may impact biodiversity.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Behavioral Ecology
- Habitat Modeling
- Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance
- Telemetry (radio and/or satellite)
- Wildlife Biology
- Conservation Biology
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Biology. 2004
M.S. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Biology. 1982
B.S. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Zoology. 1978
Science and Products
Tolerance to disturbance regulated by attractiveness of resources: A case study of desert bighorn sheep within the River Mountains, Nevada
Variable terrestrial GPS telemetry detection rates: Addressing the probability of successful acquisitions
Common Raven (Corvus corax) kleptoparasitism at a Golden Eagle (Aquila chyrsaetos) nest in southern Nevada
Spatial demographic models to inform conservation planning of golden eagles in renewable energy landscapes
Foraging at the wildland–urban interface decouples weather as a driver of recruitment for desert bighorn sheep
Ecology, distribution, and predictive occurrence modeling of Palmers chipmunk (Tamias palmeri): a high-elevation small mammal endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, USA
Habitat selection and survival of pronghorn fawns at the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California
Black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits in the American West: History, ecology, ecological significance, and survey methods
Detecting short-term responses to weekend recreation activity: desert bighorn sheep avoidance of hiking trails
Nest site characteristics and nesting success of the Western Burrowing Owl in the eastern Mojave Desert
Habitat interaction between two species of chipmunk in the Basin and Range Province of Nevada
Fifty years after Welles and Welles: Distribution and genetic structure of Desert Bighorn Sheep in Death Valley National Park
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Filter Total Items: 32
Tolerance to disturbance regulated by attractiveness of resources: A case study of desert bighorn sheep within the River Mountains, Nevada
Human activity may mimic predation risks for wildlife by causing abandonment of foraging sites and increasing expenditure of energy. Animals that can tolerate nonlethal disturbance may minimize these fitness costs. We examine this aspect of the risk—disturbance hypothesis by first analyzing recent habitat use of desert bighorn sheep relative to areas of attraction and disturbance. We then compareAuthorsChris E. Lowrey, Kathleen M. LongshoreVariable terrestrial GPS telemetry detection rates: Addressing the probability of successful acquisitions
Studies using global positioning system (GPS) telemetry rarely result in 100% fix success rates (FSR), which may bias datasets because data loss is systematic rather than a random process. Previous spatially explicit models developed to correct for sampling bias have been limited to small study areas, a small range of data loss, or were study-area specific. We modeled environmental effects on FSRAuthorsKirsten E. Ironside, David J. Mattson, David Choate, David Stoner, Terence R. Arundel, Jered R. Hansen, Tad Theimer, Brandon Holton, Brian Jansen, Joseph O. Sexton, Kathleen M. Longshore, Thomas C. Edwards, Michael PetersCommon Raven (Corvus corax) kleptoparasitism at a Golden Eagle (Aquila chyrsaetos) nest in southern Nevada
The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a ubiquitous species in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada and California. From 5 to 24 May 2014, using remote trail cameras, we observed ravens repeatedly kleptoparasitizing food resources from the nest of a pair of Golden Eagles (Aquila chyrsaetos) in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada. The ravens fed on nine (30%) of the 30 prey items delivered to the nAuthorsMatthew Simes, Diego R. Johnson, Justin Streit, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kenneth E. Nussear, Todd C. EsqueSpatial demographic models to inform conservation planning of golden eagles in renewable energy landscapes
Spatial demographic models can help guide monitoring and management activities targeting at-risk species, even in cases where baseline data are lacking. Here, we provide an example of how site-specific changes in land use and anthropogenic stressors can be incorporated into a spatial demographic model to investigate effects on population dynamics of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Our study focAuthorsJ. David Wiens, Nathan H. Schumaker, Richard D. Inman, Todd C. Esque, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kenneth E. NussearForaging at the wildland–urban interface decouples weather as a driver of recruitment for desert bighorn sheep
A growing number of ungulate populations are living within or near the wildland–urban interface. When resources at the interface are of greater quality than that of adjacent natural habitat, wildlife can be attracted to these developed areas. Little is known about how use of the wildland–urban interface by wildlife may affect vital rates. Under natural conditions, recruitment by desert bighorn sheAuthorsKathleen M. Longshore, Chris E. Lowrey, Patrick CummingsEcology, distribution, and predictive occurrence modeling of Palmers chipmunk (Tamias palmeri): a high-elevation small mammal endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, USA
Although montane sky islands surrounded by desert scrub and shrub steppe comprise a large part of the biological diversity of the Basin and Range Province of southwestern North America, comprehensive ecological and population demographic studies for high-elevation small mammals within these areas are rare. Here, we examine the ecology and population parameters of the Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmAuthorsChris E. Lowrey, Kathleen M. Longshore, Brett R. Riddle, Stacy MantoothHabitat selection and survival of pronghorn fawns at the Carrizo Plain National Monument, California
On the Carrizo Plain National Monument (CPNM), California, little is known about survival rates and habitat characteristics of pronghorn fawns (Antilocapra americana). A marked decline in pronghorn numbers on the CPNM (from approximately 200 toAuthorsDiego R. Johnson, Kathleen M. Longshore, Chris E. Lowrey, Daniel B. ThompsonBlack-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits in the American West: History, ecology, ecological significance, and survey methods
Across the western United States, Leporidae are the most important prey item in the diet of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). Leporids inhabiting the western United States include black-tailed (Lepus californicus) and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) and various species of cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.). Jackrabbits (Lepus spp.) are particularly important components of the ecologiAuthorsMatthew Simes, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kenneth E. Nussear, Greg L. Beatty, David E. Brown, Todd C. EsqueDetecting short-term responses to weekend recreation activity: desert bighorn sheep avoidance of hiking trails
To study potential effects of recreation activity on habitat use of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni), we placed Global Positioning System collars on 10 female bighorn sheep within the Wonderland of Rocks–Queen Mountain region of Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), California, USA, from 2002 to 2004. Recreation use was highest from March to April and during weekends throughout the year.AuthorsKathleen M. Longshore, Chris Lowrey, Daniel B. ThompsonNest site characteristics and nesting success of the Western Burrowing Owl in the eastern Mojave Desert
We evaluated nest site selection at two spatial scales (microsite, territory) and reproductive success of Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) at three spatial scales (microsite, territory, landscape) in the eastern Mojave Desert. We used binary logistic regression within an information-theoretic approach to assess factors influencing nest site choice and nesting success. MicrositeAuthorsKathleen M. Longshore, Dorothy E. CroweHabitat interaction between two species of chipmunk in the Basin and Range Province of Nevada
Interspecies interactions can affect how species are distributed, put constraints on habitat expansion, and reduce the fundamental niche of the affected species. Using logistic regression, we analyzed and compared 174 Tamias palmeri and 94 Tamias panamintinus within an isolated mountain range of the Basin and Range Province of southern Nevada. Tamias panamintinus was more likely to use pinyon/pondAuthorsChristopher Lowrey, Kathleen M. LongshoreFifty years after Welles and Welles: Distribution and genetic structure of Desert Bighorn Sheep in Death Valley National Park
The status of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) populations in the mountains around Death Valley was first evaluated in 1938, shortly after designation of Death Valley National Monument. However, the most comprehensive evaluation of bighorn sheep in the region was conducted by Ralph and Florence Welles during 1955-1961. They documented patterns of use at water sources and other focalAuthorsClinton W. Epps, John D. Wehausen, William B. Sloan, Stacy Holt, Tyler G. Creech, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Jef R. Jaeger, Kathleen M. Longshore, Ryan J. Monello - News