Katherine R. Mehl    Contact Dr. Katherine Mehl:  katherine mehl@und.nodak.edu

Education:

Professional Experience:

Research Interests:

My past research with shorebirds and waterfowl has shaped my current interest in avian population ecology. Specifically, I have used capture-mark-recapture/resight (CMR) techniques to model survival and recruitment in relation to individual covariates. In addition, I have used CMR data in a multi-strata modeling approach to investigate issues of female quality, productivity, and density dependence. Multi-strata models are of interest to me because they allow for modeling factors that influence movement among strata. For example, in my doctorial research I found that female King Eiders of better body condition and those having higher productivity tended to remain so in subsequent years (i.e., low movement probability among strata). My experience also included use of naturally occurring stable isotopes in feathers collected from the breeding area to determine population affiliation. I also incorporated isotope and CMR data to gain information on winter-site fidelity. My current research interests remain with avian population ecology. I am particularly interested in working with long-term data sets, as they allow for analyses of population trends. Most importantly, long-term data sets allow one to examine key parameters such as density dependence or other such factors that may influence survival and recruitment. This is necessary to understand those factors ultimately responsible for driving population trends over time. In addition, I believe that only by probing into the evolutionary aspects of a species will the scientific community be able to provide the necessary information for proper species management and conservation. Statistical methods to analyse CMR data are continually changing with advances in computer power and software capabilities. My future research plans include establishing marked populations and using CMR data, combined with current statistical methods, to find answers that will advance our conservation efforts. My research interests span a variety of taxa from threatened and endangered species to more abundant waterfowl. Importantly, my knowledge of modeling avian survival and recruitment is clearly transferable to many other species that will aid in collaborative work with other researchers at the University of North Dakota. Finally, North Dakota offers excellent research opportunities for work on breeding birds, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds within the state.

Representative Publications:

Wayland, M, R.T. Alisauskas, D. Kellett, J. Traylor, C. Swoboda, E. Neugebauer, K. Mehl. Year-to-year correlations in blood metal levels among individuals of two species of North American sea ducks. Environmental Pollution. In press.

Mehl, K.R., R. Alisauskas, D. Kellett. 2007. K ing Eider brood ecology: correlates of duckling survival. Auk124:606-618.

Mehl, K.R., R. Alisauskas, K. Hobson, F. Merkel. 2005. Linking breeding and wintering areas of king eiders: making use of polar isotopic gradients. Journal of Wildlife Management 69:1297-1304.

Kellett, D., R. Alisauskas, K.R. Mehl, K.L. Drake, J. Traylor, and S. Lawson. 2004. Body mass of long-tailed ducks during incubation. Auk 122:313-318.

Mehl, K.R, R. Alisauskas, K. Hobson, and D. Kellett. 2004. To winter east or west? Heterogeneity in winter philopatry in a central-arctic population of king eiders. Condor 106:241-251.

Kellett, D., R., Alisauskas, and K.R. Mehl. 2003. Nest selection, interspecific associations & nest success of king eiders. Condor 105:373-377.

Mehl, K.R, K.L. Drake, G. Page, P Sanzenbacher, S. Haig, & J. Thompson. 2003. Capture of breeding and wintering shorebirds with leg-hold noose-mats. Journal of Field Ornithology; 74: 401-405.

Drake, K.R., J. Thompson, and K. L. Drake. 2001. Movements, habitat use and survival of nonbreeding piping plovers. Condor 103: 259-267.

*NOTE Name change took affect July 2002. Former last name prior to this date was Drake.

Biology Department, UND

Biology Department Graduate Programs

Contact Dr. Katherine Mehl: Katherine.Mehl@und.nodak.edu