Biography:
Laura Prugh obtained a BA in Biology from Earlham College, and conducted her PhD at the University of British Columbia on the foraging ecology of coyotes in the Alaska Range under the supervision of Charley Krebs. She conducted postdoctoral work at UBC and UC Berkeley, and was an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 2012- 2015. Her research examines the dynamics of wildlife populations and communities, with a particular focus on northern ecosystems.

Abstract:
Mountain ranges harbor a unique suite of species and function as the world’s water towers, but little is known about climate change impacts in alpine ecosystems. Dall sheep are likely bellwethers of alpine ecosystem health in Alaska and northwestern Canada, and signs are pointing towards increasing ailment. Declines in Dall sheep populations throughout their range have led to emergency harvest closures and sparked widespread concern about the future of this iconic northern species. In this webinar, I will introduce an ambitious new study that seeks to understand factors affecting Dall sheep populations across their global range. Our project, which is part of NASA’s Arctic and Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), will study how changes in vegetation and snow properties affect recruitment, survival, and movements of Dall sheep.

ABoVE project link:  Laura Prugh Project Profile (ABoVE)