Genoscape Applications
Findings from our genoscape work have been applied to answer additional, but related research questions.
Alternative Energy
Switching to a non-carbon-based energy sector is critical to curbing the worst effects of climate change, however we must make this transition in a way that minimizes costs to wildlife. In collaboration with agency and industry partners, we have been using our genoscapes to identify populations of migratory birds that are most vulnerable to the impacts of alternative energy development.
Climate Change
Recent estimates predict that 1 in 6 birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. Genoscapes can be used to identify how populations are adapted to current climate, and predict which populations will be most vulnerable to future climate change.
Threats Along the Annual Cycle
Bird populations are declining across the Western Hemisphere. However, not all populations are declining at the same rate. We use genoscapes to identify genetically distinct populations most at risk and assess the causes of declines across the full annual cycle.
Bird Migration Journeys
We have partnered with the National Audubon Society and other bird migration researchers to produce the Bird Migration Explorer from Audubon. The Explorer allows users to explore the full annual cycle of 458 species of migratory birds and the threats they face along their migratory routes.