RESEARCH PROJECTS
David J.
Germano
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Along with several colleagues, I am testing the effect of cattle grazing on a group of declining plants and animals of the southern San Joaquin Valley. Because non-native grasses form dense thickets that negatively affect a variety of native species, we hypothesize that livestock grazing will benefit these species by creating open ground. A more detailed description of this project can be found at GrazingWebSite.htm |
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Since 1993, I have been conducting research on western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) throughout its range. I have done this work with Dr. R. Bruce Bury of the USGS and we have focused on comparing growth and population structure across habitats. In addition, I have studied intensively a population of western pond turtles at Goose Lake, Kern County, California. See my publication list for relevant titles. |
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The giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) is an endangered species that occurs in a limited range on the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent Carrizo and Elkhorn Plains and the Cuyama Valley. Along with several colleagues, I have been studying the effects of rainfall, grazing, and fire on this species at a variety of sites. |
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I continue to study growth and life histories of turtles and tortoises. I have on-going studies on the four species of North American tortoises (Gopherus sp.), western box turtles (Terrapene ornata luteola) on the Sevilleta LTER in New Mexico, Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in western Nebraska, and western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) in eastern Washington. See my Curriculum Vitae and publication list for relevant titles. |
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The Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) is an endangered species that continues to lose habitat in the southern San Joaquin Valley. I am monitoring populations of this species at several sites in the valley, as well as determining if translocation can be used to mitigate loss of populations at sites facing development. |
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Along with Dr. Daniel Williams of CSU, Stanislaus, I have been studying long-term population trends of the blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila). We have been tracking a population of this lizard on the Elkhorn Plain and continue to monitor its abundance. See my publication list for relevant titles. |
Besides the above projects, I have conducted studies on the ecology of yellow-blotched salamanders (Ensatina eschscholtzii croceator), habitat structure of sites in the range of the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus), population response of reptiles, birds, and mammals to mesquite removal in the Sonoran Desert, and the effect of habitat structure on species diversity in the Great Basin.