Jump to main content.

Research Project Search
 Enter Search Term:
   
 NCER Advanced Search

Habitat Alteration and Disease Rffects on Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

EPA Grant Number: R829091
Title: Habitat Alteration and Disease Rffects on Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
Investigators: Collinger, Sharon K. , Cully, Jack , Gage, Kenneth , Kosoy, Michael , Loye, Jenella , Ray, Chris , Stone, Eric R.
Current Investigators: Collinger, Sharon K. , Cully, Jack , Gage, Kenneth , Kosoy, Michael , Ray, Chris
Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder
Current Institution: University of Colorado-Boulder , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Kansas State University
EPA Project Officer: Perovich, Gina
Project Period: December 15, 2001 through December 14, 2004 (Extended to December 14, 2005)
Project Amount: $500,000
RFA: Wildlife Risk Assessment (2001)
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Biology/Life Sciences

Description:

Our research focuses on the combined effects of habitat alteration and wildlife community structure on the risk of disease outbreaks in the black-tailed prairie dog, a species of conservation concern. This species is susceptible to blood diseases transmitted by fleas, such as the sylvatic plague. Populations (colonies) contracting plague through infective fleas commonly suffer 100% mortality, so predicting the risk of exposure to infective fleas is of utmost importance for the conservation of this species.

Predicting disease outbreaks in this system involves consideration of multiple population stressors. Most diseases spread through contact between individuals of a single species, so the prediction of outbreaks depends on prediction of population dynamics within the species. Blood diseases like the plague spread through contact between black-tailed prairie dogs and the many alternate mammalian hosts that occur in the same habitat. Therefore, our research addresses effects of landscape structure and land use on the dynamics of black-tailed prairie dogs and on the dynamics of the alternate host community. In addition, we distinguish risks associated with an introduced pathogen (sylvatic plague) with risks associated with an endemic blood pathogen (Bartonella). Thus, our study addresses effects of habitat, host community and pathogen community on risk in this species.

Approach:

We will conduct field research to determine the statistical relationships between outbreaks of plague and bartonellosis in black-tailed prairie dogs and in the alternate host community. Data will be gathered at both regional and local scales. First, detailed studies of landscape structure and use, population demography and disease will be conducted within one county in Colorado. Second, landscape structure and use will be related to presence-absence studies of disease and host populations conducted across several counties in Colorado and neighboring states.

Expected Results:

The products of our research will be a) general models addressing the importance of habitat structure and community structure on risk resulting from diseases that infect multiple host species, and b) specific models for predicting risk of disease outbreaks in the black-tailed prairie dog in different landscapes. These models should illustrate the potential for multiple stressors (habitat alteration, community alteration and introduced disease) to influence population risk.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 43 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 9 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

risk assessment, pathogens, ecosystem, scaling, habitat, ecology, epidemiology, modeling, , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, wildlife, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, State, risk assessment, prarie dog, ecosystem indicators, ecosystem modeling, molecular diagnostics, wildlife community structure, animal responses, ecological research, molecular epidemiology, fleas, habitat alteration, pathogen, conservation, Wildlife Risk Assessment, ecology, ecosystem assessment, environmental risks, environmental stress, risk models, disease, ecological assessment, habitat loss, ecosystem stress, ecological models, genetic testing, population stressors, assessment models, ecological impacts, endangered species, habitat, Colorado (CO)

Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
2003 Progress Report
2004 Progress Report
Final Report

Top of page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.