Inspire Session
Hybrid Session
Christine Wilkinson
University of California, Berkeley, United States
Christine Paige
Ravenworks Ecology, United States
Wenjing Xu
University of Michigan, United States
Andrew Jakes
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, United States
Paul Jones
Alberta Conservation Association, United States
Alex McInturff
University of Washington, United States
Fence ecology is a rapidly growing discipline that focuses on the interaction between fences, organisms, ecosystems, and society. While fences were once “invisible” to the conservation science and ecology fields, new research is shedding light on their widespread effects. Ecologically, fence impacts range in scale from individual fitness and physiology to continental ecosystem change. Socially, fences have triggered changes in land practices, economic patterns, and the human-nature relationship. Yet many gaps remain in our understanding. While fences are ubiquitous and proliferating worldwide, the opportunity to study, understand, and mitigate their effects on wildlife and ecosystems has never been greater.
The goal of this session is to highlight the latest research on the complex effects of fences across societal and ecological scales throughout the world and to showcase technological strategies and community efforts in mitigating negative fence effects. This session will be an opportunity to look forward toward the most pressing needs for fence ecology research and the socioecological applications of this research. By bringing together scholars examining diverse aspects of the social and ecological effects of fences, our session will help bring formal structure to this emerging field and inspire research toward sustaining biodiversity, ecosystems, and communities.
Presenting Author: Paul F. Jones – Alberta Conservation Association
Presenting Author: Andrew F. Jakes – Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Presenting Author: Christine E. Wilkinson – University of California, Berkeley
Presenting Author: Anna Songhurst – Ecoexist Trust
Co-author: Angela Brennan – WWF US
Co-author: Werner Kilian – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
Co-author: Amanda Stronza – Texas A & M University
Co-author: Piet Beytell – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
Co-author: Chief Tsholofelo – Botswana Wildlife Training Institute
Co-author: Robin Naidoo – WWF US
Co-author: Russell Taylor – WWF Namibia
Co-author: Graham McCulloch – Ecoexist Trust
Presenting Author: Erin O'Connell – Borderlands Research Institute
Co-author: Erin O'Connell – Borderlands Research Institute
Co-author: Justin T. French – Borderlands Research Institute
Co-Author: Carlos E. Gonzalez – Borderlands Research Institute
Co-Author: Louis A. Harveson – Borderlands Research Institute
Co-Author: Shawn S. Gray – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Presenting Author: Luke R. Wilde, MSc – Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Co-author: Anna C. Ortega, PhD – Western Wildlife Research Collective; Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Co-author: Jerod A. Merkle, PhD – Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
Co-author: Kevin L. Monteith, PhD – Haub School, University of Wyoming
Co-author: Hall Sawyer, PhD – Western Ecosystems Technology
Co-author: Matthew J. Kauffman, PhD – U.S. Geological Survey
Presenting Author: Amanda MacDonald, BSc. – Alberta Conservation Association
Co-author: Paul F. Jones – Alberta Conservation Association
Co-author: Brian H. Martin – The Nature Conservancy
Co-author: Andrew F. Jakes – Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Presenting Author: Seth M. Wilson, PhD – Blackfoot Challenge- Executive Director
Presenting Author: Leo Barthelmess – Barthelmess Ranch Corporation