Carnivores are difficult to study due to their elusive, wide-ranging nature and naturally low densities. This is especially true for predators living in forested ecosystems. My lab has used remotely triggered cameras, sign surveys, and non-invasive genetic sampling to gain insight into carnivore guild ecology in forested ecosystems across multiple study sites in the US and abroad. Ultimately we are interested in how competition among predators shapes carnivore communities. Our studies have shown that forest carnivore species exhibit high degrees of spatial overlap and show little evidence for meso-predator release (in smaller carnivores). Temporal separation may be more important than spatial in promoting co-occurrence. In this talk I will present results from long term monitoring projects for fields in Belize and Sumatra, and for the lesser known carnivores in Madagascar.

Light refreshments served at 4 p.m.