Predator-prey interactions have the potential to dramatically shape ecosystems. However, despite being evaluated extensively in terrestrial systems, quantifying and characterizing the role predation plays in marine ecosystems is challenging due to the cryptic nature of pelagic predators and the difficulty of observing predatory behavior. Implantable Life History Transmitters (LHX tags) detect the occurrence and location of predation events from known age, free-living animals, and have been used to study predator-prey dynamics for juvenile Steller sea lions in the Gulf of Alaska.
In this seminar, Dr. Bishop will highlight her recent work to identify the areas of biological importance for sea lions during this vulnerable life history stage, and collaborative efforts to generate spatially-explicit predation risk maps through associations between predation locations and static marine habitat features. Together, this information is enhancing our understanding of trophic interactions in the marine ecosystem, and has led to exciting new research on the poorly studied Pacific sleeper shark. As a new Centennial Postdoctoral Fellow in WERC, Dr. Bishop will also share about some of the research she plans to do during her fellowship and future research directions.
Friday, November 20, from 12-1 PM AST
