Dr. Bruce Pugesek

Expertise:

• Colonial Waterbirds
• Life History Biology
• Population Dynamics
• Multivariate Statistics
• Survival Analysis
• Structural Equation Modeling

Research Interests:
Since 1979 I have been engaged in research on colonial waterbirds. One study, on California gulls nesting at Bamforth Lake, Wyoming, is one of the world’s longest studies of an avian population. The survival, reproductive behavior, and reproductive success of a sample of individually marked birds was monitored for nearly two decades. This research provides insight on how long-lived animals allocate reproductive effort throughout their lifespan. In addition, I have published research on White Pelicans, and since 1997, I have been studying Whooping Crane foraging ecology on their wintering habitat within the Arsansas-Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge.

I also have an interest in multivariate statistics and application of statistics to ecological research. Ecological systems and populations respond to a complex set of interacting variables. New methodologies, such as structural equation modeling, provide us with tools to empirically test, modify, and validate our hypotheses about the structure and function of complex systems. I am particularly interested in utilizing structural equation modeling methods in survival analysis.

Related Link:
Book: Structural Equation Modeling: Applications in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology.

Training Materials: Structural Equation Modeling