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Population ecology research in the LaMontagne Lab
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Spatial synchrony: From local to continental scales
Describing and understanding patterns of spatial synchrony across individuals and populations has long been an interest for population ecologists. We are working on patterns of synchrony in population dynamics in two main systems, one related to mast seeding of white spruce as a focal species, and the other involving dynamics of birds, small mammals, ticks, and seed production at NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) sites.
Mast seeding is the synchronous production of large seed crops by a population of plants. There are a variety of hypotheses as to why this phenomenon occurs, from evolutionary responses to satiate seed predators, or increase pollination efficiency; or it could be produced as a result of resource-matching. Our interest in mast seeding includes the similarities and differences in mast seeding patterns of multiple species at a variety of scales, examining individual patterns of seed production over time and synchrony over space to ask how these individual patterns give rise to the population phenomenon, and the impacts of mast seeding on species of seed consumers.
In 2012, we established a long-term study at multiple study sites in three regions of the northern midwestern USA to examine seed and cone production by almost 1000 individually tagged white spruce trees. We are interested in levels of cone abundance between individuals within a site, between sites within a region, and between regions, and examining the roles of environmental and genetic factors on patterns of cone production (Abigail Leeper, MS student; Jillian Sterman, former BS student) and relationships between cone production and tree growth (Michael Wade; former BS Honors student). This project is funded by the National Science Foundation.
In 2017, Dr. LaMontagne became a collaborator at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's SPRUCE (Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments) project in Minnesota. We are studying the impact of warm temperatures and increased CO2 levels on mast seeding patterns in black spruce and tamarack.
Describing and understanding patterns of spatial synchrony across individuals and populations has long been an interest for population ecologists. We are working on patterns of synchrony in population dynamics in two main systems, one related to mast seeding of white spruce as a focal species, and the other involving dynamics of birds, small mammals, ticks, and seed production at NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) sites.
Mast seeding is the synchronous production of large seed crops by a population of plants. There are a variety of hypotheses as to why this phenomenon occurs, from evolutionary responses to satiate seed predators, or increase pollination efficiency; or it could be produced as a result of resource-matching. Our interest in mast seeding includes the similarities and differences in mast seeding patterns of multiple species at a variety of scales, examining individual patterns of seed production over time and synchrony over space to ask how these individual patterns give rise to the population phenomenon, and the impacts of mast seeding on species of seed consumers.
In 2012, we established a long-term study at multiple study sites in three regions of the northern midwestern USA to examine seed and cone production by almost 1000 individually tagged white spruce trees. We are interested in levels of cone abundance between individuals within a site, between sites within a region, and between regions, and examining the roles of environmental and genetic factors on patterns of cone production (Abigail Leeper, MS student; Jillian Sterman, former BS student) and relationships between cone production and tree growth (Michael Wade; former BS Honors student). This project is funded by the National Science Foundation.
In 2017, Dr. LaMontagne became a collaborator at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's SPRUCE (Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments) project in Minnesota. We are studying the impact of warm temperatures and increased CO2 levels on mast seeding patterns in black spruce and tamarack.
Using existing citizen science datasets along with NEON data, we are working with Dr. Ben Zuckerberg (UW-Madison) and Dr. Court Strong (University of Utah) we are doing a Macrosystems-level project to link together climatic patterns with population dynamics and synchrony in animal and plant populations at the continental scale. We are using data on birds, small mammals, tick abundance, and seed production datasets across continental North America. This project is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Urban ecology
The composition and complexity of urban habitats create challenges and opportunities for wildlife in terms of food availability, with potential impacts on population dynamics, habitat selection, and animal behaviour. The availability of suitable habitat is a factor that influences the abundance and diversity of species found in any area.
Our research focuses on: i) Behaviour and learning in animals occupying areas along an urbanization gradient (Kayce Miller, current MS student; Jessica Harris, BS student; Jesse Hacker, former MS student, ii) Spatial and temporal patterns and drivers of population dynamics for animal species in urban areas including 10-years of brown rat data across the city of Chicago (Jazmin Rios, current MS student) and tree-cavity nesting bird species in urban and rural areas with a focus on European starlings and red-headed woodpeckers (Jessica Barton, BS student), iii) Assessing tree-cavity availability in different habitats within the city of Chicago, iv) Habitat selection by red-headed woodpeckers (Elsa Anderson, former MS Student), v) Competition for tree-cavities between red-headed woodpeckers and European Starlings (Kattie Morris, former MS student). We have been working in collaboration with Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo on a number of these projects.
The composition and complexity of urban habitats create challenges and opportunities for wildlife in terms of food availability, with potential impacts on population dynamics, habitat selection, and animal behaviour. The availability of suitable habitat is a factor that influences the abundance and diversity of species found in any area.
Our research focuses on: i) Behaviour and learning in animals occupying areas along an urbanization gradient (Kayce Miller, current MS student; Jessica Harris, BS student; Jesse Hacker, former MS student, ii) Spatial and temporal patterns and drivers of population dynamics for animal species in urban areas including 10-years of brown rat data across the city of Chicago (Jazmin Rios, current MS student) and tree-cavity nesting bird species in urban and rural areas with a focus on European starlings and red-headed woodpeckers (Jessica Barton, BS student), iii) Assessing tree-cavity availability in different habitats within the city of Chicago, iv) Habitat selection by red-headed woodpeckers (Elsa Anderson, former MS Student), v) Competition for tree-cavities between red-headed woodpeckers and European Starlings (Kattie Morris, former MS student). We have been working in collaboration with Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo on a number of these projects.
Life-History and Consumer-Resource dynamics
We are interested in how environmental variability affects individuals and population dynamics. We ask questions about how intrinsic and extrinsic population factors affects the growth, reproduction, and survival of individuals, and population dynamics. We have worked on how life-history trade-offs impact population-level dynamics in a Daphnia pulex - algal prey system (Ryan Bovyn (Wenkus), former MS student; Jessica Barton, BS student).
Media: Dr. LaMontagne was interviewed about this research in northern Wisconsin in fall 2015 (link: http://goo.gl/v8McK3) and for The Shape of The World podcast hosted by Jill Riddell in 2019 (approximately 25 minutes, link: shapeoftheworldshow.com/2019/06/08/episode-14-booms-busts-natural-cycles-that-run-the-world/).
We are interested in how environmental variability affects individuals and population dynamics. We ask questions about how intrinsic and extrinsic population factors affects the growth, reproduction, and survival of individuals, and population dynamics. We have worked on how life-history trade-offs impact population-level dynamics in a Daphnia pulex - algal prey system (Ryan Bovyn (Wenkus), former MS student; Jessica Barton, BS student).
Media: Dr. LaMontagne was interviewed about this research in northern Wisconsin in fall 2015 (link: http://goo.gl/v8McK3) and for The Shape of The World podcast hosted by Jill Riddell in 2019 (approximately 25 minutes, link: shapeoftheworldshow.com/2019/06/08/episode-14-booms-busts-natural-cycles-that-run-the-world/).
Information for Potential Graduate Students
If you are interested in potentially working with me:
1. I encourage students who are interested in my lab to contact me. It's as easy as sending me an email about i) what your research interests are, ii) how you think your research interests are aligned with my lab, and iii) what you are looking to get out of the experience of doing a MS and why you think you would be a good match for doing research with me. Also let me know briefly iv) some details about any research experience you have, and v) send along a copy of your unofficial transcripts and your CV/resume. My email is: jlamont1@depaul.edu
2. I will consider taking on students for the MS program in Biological Sciences at DePaul University, although we do also offer a MA program.
You can find information about other faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at DePaul University here.
If you are interested in potentially working with me:
1. I encourage students who are interested in my lab to contact me. It's as easy as sending me an email about i) what your research interests are, ii) how you think your research interests are aligned with my lab, and iii) what you are looking to get out of the experience of doing a MS and why you think you would be a good match for doing research with me. Also let me know briefly iv) some details about any research experience you have, and v) send along a copy of your unofficial transcripts and your CV/resume. My email is: jlamont1@depaul.edu
2. I will consider taking on students for the MS program in Biological Sciences at DePaul University, although we do also offer a MA program.
You can find information about other faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at DePaul University here.
Research Funding Support
The LaMontagne Lab has been generously supported by the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation; Illinois Ornithological Society; Illinois State Academy of Science; National Science Foundation; University Research Council of DePaul University; the College of Science & Health's Faculty Summer Research Grants, Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, Undergraduate Summer Research Program; and the Department of Biological Sciences.
The LaMontagne Lab has been generously supported by the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation; Illinois Ornithological Society; Illinois State Academy of Science; National Science Foundation; University Research Council of DePaul University; the College of Science & Health's Faculty Summer Research Grants, Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, Undergraduate Summer Research Program; and the Department of Biological Sciences.
