Jherime Kellermann
My research
interests revolve around avian habitat ecology, particularly the complex
interactions of habitat alteration by humans with bird communites. Agriculture, natural resource extraction, and
development are applied with variable methodologies and intensities across a
landscape mosaic and wildlife responds at multiple scales. A better understanding of avian habitat
associations can help us manage and even utilize the landscape and its
resources in a way that maintains healthy, diverse bird populations and the
integrity of their habitats.
My work has focused on regions that are threatened by agricultural intensification, residential development, and climate change such as Hawai'i, the Greater Antilles, the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion, and currently the "Sky Islands" and riparian areas of southeastern Arizona. I strive to create proactive, efficient, and meaningful research coupled with active outreach to the scientific and public communities.
My ornithological career began in
1998 with 3 years involved in the recovery of the Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) on the island of Kauai. In the late 90's the Puaiohi population was
estimated at 300 individuals, mainly located in the remote, rainforest interior
of the Alakai Wilderness. The project goal was to establish a second population
through captive breeding and release that may help the specie
s withstand
stochastic variations in weather, disease and genetic diversity. In 1999, the Puaiohi we released became the
first known captive-bred Hawaiian passerines to successfully breed in the
wild. Although Puaiohi primarily nest on
cliffs in the deep, lush canyons of the Alakai, adult females and nestlings are
still highly vulnerable to predation by non-native rats. Recovery efforts are ongoing, however further
habitat restoration will likely be necessary for the Puaiohi to fully recover.
My current research at the University of Arizona with the USGS SBSC, Sonoran Desert Research Station is examining diversity and habitat associations of migratory birds across the extreme elevational gradient of habitats present in the mountainous region of southeastern Arizona. We know that riparian areas provide critical habitat for migrating birds in the southwest, however it is unclear the diversity and abundance of species that select and utilize upland habitats, which range from mixed confer, pine, pine-oak, and oak savannah to a variety of Sonoran Desert habitats. Many of the sky islands are already recognized as Important Bird Areas, however little research has been conducted within them. Furthermore, these relatively moist highland habitats are increasingly threatened by catastrophic forest fires, severe erosion and continuing aridification of the American southwest. The sooner we understand habitat associations of migratory birds that may depend on these upland habitats, the better we can make critical land management decisions.
I also have ongoing research with Dr. Matthew
Johnson of Humboldt State University,
on habitat associations and ecosystem services of migratory and endemic birds
in agricultural habitats of Jamaica,
West Indies.
We have focused primarily on coffee cultivation, but have also been
working with cacao, pimento, and coconut production. In Jamaica's
Blue Mountains, we found that birds,
particularly 3 species of Neotropical migratory warblers, significantly reduced
levels of coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus
hampeii), one of the most economically destructive coffee pests in the
world. Birds also reduced berry damage
and the number of berry borer broods. We
valued these ecosystem services at $44-105 US per hectare just to the farmers
selling unprocessed beans. The value of
these services and the natural capital on which they depend will increase as
the product is traded to processors, retailers, and ultimately consumers. This is a significant monetary benefit in a
country with a Gross National Income of $1500 US and an annual schooling cost
of $200-500 US per child.
