David O. Wallin

Ongoing Research Interests

Current Projects:

I am currently working with two students on projects that deal with the new field of landscape genetics (Andrew Shirk and Tzeidle Wasserman). This field represents a synthesis of population genetics and landscape ecology. I am also exploring opportunities to expand this work with other wildlife species in the Cascades. I have one current (Tana Beus) and one former student (Adam Wells) who have been examining seasonal habitat relationships for mountain goats in the Cascades. The work on mountain goats has been a collaborative effort with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Sauk Suiattle Indian Tribe. As part of this project, I have employed about 30 undergraduate interns over the past four summers. One of these interns, Colin Shanley, recently published an article in Nature Photographer magazine describing his experience on the project (click here to view the article). I also have several graduate students (Erica Capuana, Eric Mickelson and Kari Secrest,) who are using LIDAR and high-spatial resolution multispectral imagery to address questions related to the structure and composition of riparian forests. Finally, I have a continuing interest in the effects of land management on the carbon budget of Pacific Northwest forests.

Current Graduate Students:

Tana Beus, M.S. WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, expected 9/09; Habitat connectivity for Mountain Goats in the Cascade Range of Washington.

Erica Capuana, M.S. WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, expected 9/09; Use of high resolution multispectral imagery and LIDAR to map riparian vegetation

Eric Mickelson, M.S., WWU Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, expected 9/09; Evaluation of the effects of prescribed fire on forest bird habitat using LIDAR.

Completed Masters Thesis Projects:

Andrew Shirk, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 5/09; Mountain Goat Genetic Structure, Molecular Diversity, and Gene Flow in the Cascade Range, Washington. (View Full Thesis)

Tzeidle Wasserman, M.S., Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 3/08; Gene flow and habitat relationships of Marten (Martes americana) and Fisher (Martes pennanti) in Northern Idaho. (View Full Thesis)

Kari Secrest, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Geography, completed 2/07; Use of high resolution multispectral imagery and LIDAR to map riparian vegetation. (Current employment: Skagit County; Geographic Information Services) (View Abstract) (View Full Thesis)

Adam Wells, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 7/06; Habitat relationships for Mountain Goats in the North Cascades of Washington State. (Began Working on a Ph.D. at the University of Idaho in January 2008) (View Abstract) (View Full Thesis)

Kari Odden, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 11/04; Landuse effects on stream temperatures in Western Washington.

Lise Grace, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 7/03; Mapping Bald Eagle communal night roosts habitat in Northwest Washington using satellite imagery. (Current employment: North Cascades National Park) (View Abstract) (View Full Thesis)

Misty Tyler, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 6/03; Coral reef habitat mapping using IKONOS satellite imagery. (Current employment: working towards obtaining a teaching certificate)

Natalya V. Antonova, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Geography, completed 12/00; Mapping potential habitat for the Ferruginous Hawk in Utah using satellite remote sensing. (Current employment: North Cascades National Park) (View Abstract) (View Full Thesis)

Diane Rangaard, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 2/99; Effects of forest roads on small mammal and amphibian habitat connectivity. (Current employment: Teacher)

Andrew Boyce, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Geography, completed 6/99; Rates and patterns of disturbance in forests of Washington and British Columbia. (Current employment: Private Environmental Consulting, Vermont)

John Foster, M.S., OSU, Forest Science, completed 6/99; Fire history of the Cherry Creek Basin Research Natural Area. (Current employment: The Nature Conservancy, Seattle, WA)

Sally Manifold, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 6/99; Factors influencing avian nesting success in greenway corridors. (Current employment: Greenways Coordinator, Bellingham Parks and Recreation)

William Richards, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 10/98; Analysis of patterns of vertebrate diversity in Pacific Northwest forests. (Current employment: Wildlife Biologist, Cedar River Watershed, City of Seattle)

Sam Cushman, M.S., WWU, Huxley College, Environmental Sciences, completed 10/97; Analysis of landscape patterns and rates of landscape change in Russian far east using satellite remote sensing. (Completed a Ph.D. at the U. of Massachusetts in 2003. Current employment: Research Scientist, US Forest Service, Missoula, Montana)

Christopher S. Purnell, M.S., Oregon State University, Geosciences, completed 6/94; Analysis of riparian vegetation and land use in the Oregon Cascades using Landsat TM data. (deceased)

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