Predator-Predator EcologyPredator-prey interactions have been well-studied for decades, but less research has been conducted on interactions among multiple predators. I have a particular interest in understanding how apex predators can affect subordinate predators across multiple ecological scales: individual behavior (e.g. habitat use, anti-predator behaviors), population-level processes (e.g. survival, recruitment, reproduction), and community interactions.
Selected Related Publications: Gigliotti, L.C., R. Slotow, L.T.B. Hunter, J. Fattebert, C. Sholto-Douglas, and D.S. Jachowski. 2020. Context-dependency of top-down, bottom-up, and density-dependent influences on cheetah demography. Journal of Animal Ecology 89(2): 449-459. Gigliotti, L.C., R. Slotow, L.T.B. Hunter, J. Fattebert, C. Sholto-Douglas, and D.S. Jachowski. 2020. Habitat complexity and lifetime predation risk influence mesopredator survival in a multi-predator system. Scientific Reports 10: 17841. Jachowski, D.S., A.R. Butler, R.Y.Y. Eng, L.C. Gigliotti, S.N. Harris, and A. Williams. 2020. Identifying mesopredator release in multi-carnivore systems: A review of evidence from North America. Mammal Review 50: 367-381. |
Wildlife in a Changing WorldA common theme of my research is trying to understand how animals are responding to changing environmental conditions. I have previously studied geographic variation in snowshoe hare ecology, which can provide insight into how winter-adapted animals might respond to climate change. My current research focuses on the effects of land use change on elk spatial ecology in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In addition to trying to understand thresholds of land use change needed to alter elk space use, I am working to understand how private lands can benefit the conservation of migratory ungulates.
Selected Related Publications: Gigliotti, L.C., W. Xu, G. Zuckerman, M.P. Atwood, E. Cole, A. Courtemanch, S. Dewey, J. Gude, P. Hnilicka, M. Hurley, M.J. Kauffman, K. Kroetz, A. Lawson, B. Leonard, D. MacNulty, E. Maichack, D. McWhirter, T. Mong, K. Proffitt, B. Scurlock, D. Stahler, and A.D. Middleton. In Press. Wildlife migrations highlight importance of both private lands and protected areas in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Biological Conservation 275: 109752. Gigliotti, L.C., D.R. Diefenbach, and M.J. Sheriff. 2017. Geographic variation in winter adaptations of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 95: 539-545. |
Community-Level Responses to ManagementAssessing responses to management actions is important, but they are often only assessed with regards to a single species or population. My research strives to understand how management actions can influence interactions among species. I have studied species' responses to prescribed burning in both Pennsylvania and South Africa, and have also assessed wildlife community responses to large carnivore reintroductions.
Selected Related Publications: Gigliotti, L.C., G. Curveira-Santos, R. Slotow, C. Sholto-Douglas, L. Swanepoel, and D.S. Jachowski. 2022. Community-level responses of African carnivores to prescribed burning. Journal of Applied Ecology 59(1): 251-267 Gigliotti, L.C., B.C. Jones, M.J. Lovallo, and D.R. Diefenbach. 2018. Snowshoe hare multi-level habitat use in a fire-adapted ecosystem. Journal of Wildlife Management 82(2): 435-444. |