GARY
BUCCIARELLI
Ecologist
Evolutionary Biologist
RESTORATION WORK
Characterizing and evaluating the effects of nonnative aquatic species through removal and restoration
I am working on two projects that focus on understanding how introduced aquatic species impact native species. One project is at a local set of ponds that are in the process of being restored. I am working with students and researchers to study how removal of these species affects native amphibians, reptiles and macroinvertebrates.
For the other project, I will lead a study to characterize conditions of streams and test the effects nutrients and the removal of introduced species have on macroinvertebrate communities.
A mayfly nymph
Mayflies are considered indicator species of a streams biological integrity. In conjunction with other macroinvertebrates, they can be used to understand how well a stream is doing.
Field sampling for macroinvertebrates
During this project, undergraduates and I have spent time working in streams, where they have become pros at sampling macroinvertebrates.
Introduced turtles
At a restoration site where many red-eared slider turtles have been introduced. The pond they live in is also filled with introduced fishes. I am working to understand how their removal will affect native species.
Weighing a southwestern pond turtle
This is a native turtle that is coexisting with introduced fishes and turtles. We collect turtle morphological and survival data to determine how the population is doing as restoration progresses.
Individual measurements
Native turtles have been captured and marked so that their growth and survival can be tracked. Here, I'm out on the water taking individuals from traps and taking mass and carapace measurements.