University calendar

SMAST Seminar - DEOS - "Coping with a Changing Environment" By: Michael Sheriff

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences
"Coping with a Changing Environment"
Michael Sheriff
Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Biology Department

Wednesday, January 29, 2025
12:30pm-1:30pm
SMAST E 101-102 and via Zoom

Abstract:

Anthropogenic disturbances are wide-spread around the globe and impact free-living animals in myriad ways; including direct disturbance, changes to food quality and quantity, invasive species, as well as changes in temperature and climate. As ecologists, we are challenged with the difficult task of predicting how individuals and populations will respond to human-induced changes to local and global ecosystems. Human-induced stressors can impact animals through changes in their physiology, behaviour, and fitness. Here I will discuss two major axes of work that occurs in my laboratory. First, I will examine how environmental stressors impact glucocorticoid levels (stress hormones) in free-living animals. Specifically, I will focus on how altered land use and reduced food quality impacts GC levels in wild impala within the Serengeti Ecosystem, and how changes in winter temperature and snow cover alters GC levels in free-living ruffed grouse. Second, I will examine how an invasive predator is interacting with a local predator within a New England inter-tidal ecosystem and altering prey behaviour and growth in unpredictable ways.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://umassd.zoom.us/j/97440069270?pwd=L2Z1bDZESTFCKzJYZWduYVhWenYvZz09

Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive 

To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut

SMAST East 101-102
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu