Gerber Lab
Jared Underwood
Lab Member Fall 2004 – Fall 2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS during lab tenure
The intersection between science and resource management is of utmost importance to the conservation of biological diversity. Natural resource managers and academic scientists often fail to communicate in applying scientific findings to policy decisions or recommendations. The field of conservation biology strives to link these two disciplines and create a management framework to preserve the world’s biodiversity.
The goal of my PhD research is to help develop the necessary tools that will allow resource managers to make informed decisions on how to best protect biodiversity. My objective is to create a decision framework that will allow mangers to make appropriate decisions based on what aspects of biodiversity they hope to preserve. I will be testing various methods used for designating conservation areas as well as developing a framework that will help managers optimally inventory and monitor areas under their administration.
As a case study in developing these tools, I will use small mammals found in the state ofArizonaas a model system. As part of this research I will also be working with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish to create a statewide small mammal conservation plan .
