Susan M Haig
Biography
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1987-89, Smithsonian Institution
Ph.D. Biology, 1987, Biology, University of North Dakota
B.S. Biology, 1979, Northland College
Specialty
Conservation genetics, avian behavioral ecology, population connectivity, endangered species policy.
Research Interests
Processes affecting persistence/extinction of small populations, conservation genetics, behavioral ecology of shorebirds, wetland ecology, mating systems, dispersal patterns and population connectivity throughout the annual cycle.
Personal Interests
Canoeing, birdwatching, badminton, Irish music
Science and Products
Genetic characterization of Neotropical Jabiru Storks: Insights for conservation
Jabiru Stork (Jabiru mycteria is listed under Appendix I of CITES and considered threatened in Central America. The first population genetic analysis of Jabiru Storks was carried out using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (520 bp) and five heterologous microsatellite loci. Samples were collected from the field (N = 49) and museum...
Lopes, I.F.; Haig, S.M.; Lama, S.N.D.Subspecies status and population genetic structure in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is a migratory shorebird that is listed as endangered in Canada and the U.S. Great Lakes and as threatened throughout the rest of its breeding and winter range. We undertook a comprehensive molecular-genetic investigation to (1) address subspecific taxonomy, (2) characterize population genetic structure, and (3)...
Miller, M.P.; Haig, S.M.; Gratto-Trevor, C. L.; Mullins, T.D.Data from the 2006 International Piping Plover Census
This report presents the results of the 2006 International Census of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus). Two sets of tabular data are reported: one for distribution and abundance of wintering Piping Plovers, the other for distribution and abundance of breeding Piping Plovers. The winter census resulted in the observation of 3,884 Piping Plovers...
Elliott-Smith, Elise; Haig, Susan M.; Powers, Brandi M.Molecular Population Genetic Structure in the Piping Plover
The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is a migratory shorebird currently listed as Endangered in Canada and the U.S. Great Lakes, and threatened throughout the remainder of its U.S. breeding and winter range. In this study, we undertook the first comprehensive molecular genetic-based investigation of Piping Plovers. Our primary goals were to (1)...
Miller, Mark P.; Haig, Susan M.; Gratto-Trevor, Cheri L.; Mullins, Thomas D.Behavior and reproductive success of rock sandpipers breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim river delta, Alaska
We studied Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis) breeding behavior and monitored reproductive success from 1998 to 2005 on the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska, USA. We banded 24 adults and monitored 45 nests. Annual return rate of adults ranged between 67 and 100%. Six pairs of Rock Sandpipers bred at our study site for ???2 years, and among...
Johnson, M.; Conklin, J.R.; Johnson, B.L.; McCaffery, B.J.; Haig, S.M.; Walters, J.R.Movements of wintering Dunlin Calidris alpina and changing habitat availability in an agricultural wetland landscape
Few studies have assessed how the dynamics of wetland bird movements relate to changing resource availability, particularly at more than one spatial scale. Within western Oregon's Williamette Valley, we examined winter resident Dunlin Calidris alpina movements in relation to a decrease in availability of preferred shorebird foraging habitat from...
Taft, O.W.; Sanzenbacher, P.M.; Haig, S.M.Range-wide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and Rana pretiosa) in northwestern North America
The dynamic geological and climatic history of northwestern North America has made it a focal region for phylogeography. We conducted a range-wide phylogeographic analysis of the spotted frog complex (Rana luteiventris and Rana pretiosa) across its range in northwestern North America to understand its evolutionary history and the distribution of...
Funk, W.C.; Pearl, C.A.; Draheim, H.M.; Adams, M.J.; Mullins, T.D.; Haig, S.M.Blood parasites in Owls with conservation implications for the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis)
The three subspecies of Spotted Owl (Northern, Strix occidentalis courina; California, S. o. occidentalis; and Mexican, S. o. lucida) are all threatened by habitat loss and range expansion of the Barred Owl (S. varia). An unaddressed threat is whether Barred Owls could be a source of novel strains of disease such as avian malaria (Plasmodium spp...
Ishak, H.D.; Dumbacher, J.P.; Anderson, N.L.; Keane, J.J.; Valkiunas, G.; Haig, S.M.; Tell, L.A.; Sehgal, R.N.M.Genetics Show Current Decline and Pleistocene Expansion in Northern Spotted Owls
The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is one of the most controversial threatened subspecies ever listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Because of concern for persistence of the subspecies, logging on Federal lands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest was dramatically reduced under the Northwest Forest Plan in 1994. Despite...
Funk, W. Chris; Forsman, Eric D.; Mullins, Thomas D.; Haig, Susan M.Landscape Features Shape Genetic Structure in Threatened Northern Spotted Owls
Several recent studies have shown that landscape features can strongly affect spatial patterns of gene flow and genetic variation. Understanding landscape effects on genetic variation is important in conservation for defining management units and understanding movement patterns. The landscape may have little effect on gene flow, however, in highly...
Funk, W. Chris; Forsman, Eric D.; Mullins, Thomas D.; Haig, Susan M.Conservation biology for suites of species: Demographic modeling for Pacific island kingfishers
Conservation practitioners frequently extrapolate data from single-species investigations when managing critically endangered populations. However, few researchers initiate work with the intent of making findings useful to conservation efforts for other species. We presented and explored the concept of conducting conservation-oriented research for...
Kesler, D.C.; Haig, S.M.Conservation genetics of snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) in the Western Hemisphere: Population genetic structure and delineation of subspecies
We examined the genetic structure of snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) in North America, the Caribbean, and the west coast of South America to quantify variation within and among breeding areas and to test the validity of three previously recognized subspecies. Sequences (676 bp) from domains I and II of the mitochondrial control region were...
Funk, W.C.; Mullins, T.D.; Haig, S.M.