Skip to main content
Duke University Libraries
DukeSpace Scholarship by Duke Authors
  • Login
  • Ask
  • Menu
  • Login
  • Ask a Librarian
  • Search & Find
  • Using the Library
  • Research Support
  • Course Support
  • Libraries
  • About
View Item 
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Nicholas School of the Environment
  • View Item
  •   DukeSpace
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Nicholas School of the Environment
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

RED WOLF CONSERVATION IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Thumbnail
View / Download
1.1 Mb
Date
2022-04-22
Author
Drobes, Emily
Advisors
Cagle, Nicolette
Pimm, Stuart
Repository Usage Stats
38
views
60
downloads
Abstract
The critically endangered red wolf is the focus of a long-standing recovery effort. How climate change might affect it is unknown. Sea-level rise will greatly restrict its current habitat site. Several other threats pressure it. I used three GIS approaches: (1) using site prioritization variables alone, (2) using Model 1 variables and projected sea-level rise, and (3) using Model 2 variables and projected urbanization. I ranked potential reintroduction sites on their suitability scores from each model, compared results between models, and made recommendations to management. The results differed between models. The best sites shifted inland in Model 2 and towards rural areas in Model 3. This indicates that these variables are important in determining site suitability. Top sites from Models 2 and 3 had slightly lower suitability scores, but I expect them to be more sustainable in the future. The suitability of individual variables (e.g., habitat type, prey abundance) differed between sites, but top sites in all 3 scenarios had high overall suitability scores. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) should prioritize reintroduction efforts at a combination of sites identified here as Moderately to Highly Suitable (scores of 16.5 or above) in all three models, and should make specific plans according to the strengths and weaknesses that I identified for each site. This will provide better conditions for the survival of the species, ecosystem health, and, importantly, cost-effectiveness. As natural apex predators, red wolves have a unique ability to help restore health and balance to our ecosystems of the southeast. This will benefit wildlife, natural systems, and people.
Type
Master's project
Department
Nicholas School of the Environment
Subject
red wolf
Canis rufus
conservation
climate change
critically endangered
site prioritization
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24886
Citation
Drobes, Emily (2022). RED WOLF CONSERVATION IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/24886.
Collections
  • Nicholas School of the Environment
More Info
Show full item record
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rights for Collection: Nicholas School of the Environment


Works are deposited here by their authors, and represent their research and opinions, not that of Duke University. Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info

Make Your Work Available Here

How to Deposit

Browse

All of DukeSpaceCommunities & CollectionsAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit DateThis CollectionAuthorsTitlesTypesBy Issue DateDepartmentsAffiliations of Duke Author(s)SubjectsBy Submit Date

My Account

LoginRegister

Statistics

View Usage Statistics
Duke University Libraries

Contact Us

411 Chapel Drive
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-5870
Perkins Library Service Desk

Digital Repositories at Duke

  • Report a problem with the repositories
  • About digital repositories at Duke
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Deaccession and DMCA Takedown Policy

TwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickrInstagramBlogs

Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
  • Harmful Language Statement
  • Support the Libraries
Duke University