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Katie McVey 

Project:  "How Does Introduction of Agriculture Alter Ecosystem Dynamics?:

Stable Isotope Analysis of Trophic Relationships and Food Webs"

Summary:  My research is part of a larger study looking at the effect of introduction of irrigated agriculture into arid lands using burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) as focal species.  I will focus on food habits and look for differences in trophic relationships and food webs between animal communities in agricultural and more natural settings.  Samples from both habitat types will be collected from the snake River Birds of Prey national Conservation Area and will be analyzed using stable isotopes.  Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes are used to determine trophic levels and depict food webs.  This study will yield important information concerning environmental effects the introduction of irrigated agriculture into arid lands may have on animal communities.

Questions and comments regarding the Raptor Research Center: mark_fuller@usgs.gov
Questions and comments regarding this website: kbledsoe@boisestate.edu

  This page was last reviewed on 02 April 2008.