Anna Chalfoun, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Anna joined the faculty at the University of Wyoming as a Research Scientist in 2008, and was hired as the Assistant Unit Leader for Wildlife at the Wyoming Unit in 2011. Anna ’s work has focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying habitat selection at multiple spatial scales, the contexts under which habitat choices are adaptive or maladative, nest predation dynamics, life history strategies including parental care behaviors, and the influence of anthropogenic habitat change on non-game wildlife. Anna and her graduate students conduct research on songbirds, raptors, small mammals, and herpetofauna in a wide variety of habitats in Wyoming and beyond. The common threads woven throughout the lab's projects include wildlife habitat relationships and the influence of human-induced habitat changes such as loss, fragmentation and degradation on sensitive species. Projects in the Chalfoun lab have included the effects of energy development, roads, and a changing climate. Anna is the coChair of the Conservation Committee for the American Ornithological Society.
Anna holds a BA degree in Biology from Smith College, an MS in Wildlife Biology and Conservation Biology from the University of Missouri, and a PhD in Wildlife Biology from the Montana CRU at the University of Montana.
Education and Certifications
Ph D University of Montana 2006
MS University of Missouri 2000
BA Smith College 1995
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 33
Temporal dynamics of sagebrush songbird abundance in relation to energy development
Spatial aspects of wildlife responses to human-induced habitat change have been examined frequently, yet the temporal dynamics of responses remain less understood. We tested alternative hypotheses for how the abundance of a suite of declining songbirds in relation to energy development changed over time. We conducted point counts at two natural gas fields during two periods spanning a decade (2008
Authors
Max Carlin, Anna D. Chalfoun
Infection status as the basis for habitat choices in a wild amphibian
Animals challenged with disease may select specific habitat conditions that help prevent or reduce infection. Whereas preinfection avoidance of habitats with a high risk of disease exposure has been documented in both captive and free-ranging animals, evidence of switching habitats after infection to support the clearing of the infection is limited to laboratory experiments. The extent to which wi
Authors
Gabriel M. Barrile, Anna D. Chalfoun, Annika W. Walters
The abundance of Greater Sage-Grouse as a proxy for the abundance of sagebrush-associated songbirds in Wyoming, USA
Surrogate-species concepts are prevalent in animal conservation. Such strategies advocate for conservation by proxy, wherein one species is used to represent other taxa to obtain a conservation objective. The efficacy of such approaches has been rarely assessed empirically, but is predicated on concordance between the surrogate and sympatric taxa in distribution, abundance, and ecological requirem
Authors
Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun
Behavioural plasticity modulates temperature-related constraints on foraging time for a montane mammal
Contemporary climate change is altering temperature profiles across the globe. Increasing temperatures can reduce the amount of time during which conditions are suitable for animals to engage in essential activities, such as securing food. Behavioural plasticity, the ability to alter behaviour in response to the environment, may provide animals with a tool to adjust to changes in the availability
Authors
L. Embere Hall, Anna D. Chalfoun
Mechanisms underlying increased nest predation in natural gas fields: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis
Anthropogenic activities are changing landscapes and the context in which predator–prey dynamics evolved, thereby altering key ecological processes and community structure. Yet, the specific mechanisms underlying such changes are rarely understood. We tested whether a mesopredator release explained increased rodent density and concomitant predation of songbird nests near natural gas development. F
Authors
Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun
Black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus (Sciuridae), metapopulation response to novel sourced conspecific signals
Aggregation of territorial individuals within a species can be facilitated via conspecific signals, wherein settlement implies habitat suitability, ease of resource acquisition and/or increased predator detection. The black-tailed prairie dog is a colonial small mammal with alarm vocalizations that confer benefits via group vigilance against predators and increased foraging time. Although prairie
Authors
Anna D. Chalfoun, Lauren C. Connell, Lauren M. Porensky, John D. Scasta
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2017 annual report
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) was established in 2008 to address the scientific and conservation questions associated with land use changes because of energy development and other factors in southwest Wyoming. Over the past decade, partners from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State and Federal land management agencies, universities, and the public have collaborated to implem
Authors
Linda Zeigenfuss, Ellen Aikens, Cameron L. Aldridge, Patrick J. Anderson, Timothy J. Assal, Zachary H. Bowen, Anna D. Chalfoun, Geneva W. Chong, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Stephen S. Germaine, Tabitha Graves, Collin G. Homer, Christopher Huber, Aaron N. Johnston, Matthew J. Kauffman, Daniel J. Manier, Ryan R. McShane, Kirk A. Miller, Adrian P. Monroe, Anna Ortega, Annika W. Walters, Teal B. Wyckoff
Novel landscape elements within natural gas fields increase densities but not fitness of an important songbird nest predator
Identifying the elements within human-altered landscapes most associated with population and community changes is critical for conservation and management of sensitive species. We investigated which features of habitat change from natural gas development best explained the density of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), an important nest predator of declining sagebrush-obligate songbirds. During 20
Authors
Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun
Raptor nest-site use in relation to the proximity of coalbed methane development
Raptor nest–site use in relation to the proximity of coalbed–methane development. Energy development such as coalbed–methane (CBM) extraction is a major land use with largely unknown consequences for many animal species. Some raptor species may be especially vulnerable to habitat changes due to energy development given their ecological requirements and population trajectories. Using 12,977 observa
Authors
J.D. Carlile, Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun, K.G. Gerow
Non-target effects on songbirds from habitat manipulation for Greater Sage-Grouse: Implications for the umbrella species concept
The “umbrella species” concept is a conservation strategy in which creating and managing reserve areas to meet the needs of one species is thought to benefit other species indirectly. Broad-scale habitat protections on behalf of an umbrella species are assumed to benefit co-occurring taxa, but targeted management actions to improve local habitat suitability for the umbrella species may produce uni
Authors
Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun, Kurt T. Smith, Jeffery L. Beck
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2016 annual report
This is the ninth annual report highlighting U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science and decision-support activities conducted for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI). The activities address specific management needs identified by WLCI partner agencies. In fiscal year (FY) 2016, there were 26 active USGS WLCI science-based projects. Of these 26 projects, one project was new for FY20
Authors
Zachary H. Bowen, Ellen Aikens, Cameron L. Aldridge, Patrick J. Anderson, Timothy J. Assal, Anna D. Chalfoun, Geneva W. Chong, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Steven L. Garman, Steve Germaine, Collin G. Homer, Aaron N. Johnston, Matthew J. Kauffman, Daniel J. Manier, Cynthia P. Melcher, Kirk A. Miller, Annika W. Walters, Jerrod D. Wheeler, Daniel J. Wieferich, Anna B. Wilson, Teal B. Wyckoff, Linda Zeigenfuss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Species Management Research Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Nest mortality of sagebrush songbirds due to a severe hailstorm
Demographic assessments of nesting birds typically focus on failures due to nest predation or brood parasitism. Extreme weather events such as hailstorms, however, can also destroy eggs and injure or kill juvenile and adult birds at the nest. We documented the effects of a severe hailstorm on 3 species of sagebrush-associated songbirds: Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), Brewer's Sparrow (Spize
Authors
Jessica N. Hightower, Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 33
Temporal dynamics of sagebrush songbird abundance in relation to energy development
Spatial aspects of wildlife responses to human-induced habitat change have been examined frequently, yet the temporal dynamics of responses remain less understood. We tested alternative hypotheses for how the abundance of a suite of declining songbirds in relation to energy development changed over time. We conducted point counts at two natural gas fields during two periods spanning a decade (2008
Authors
Max Carlin, Anna D. Chalfoun
Infection status as the basis for habitat choices in a wild amphibian
Animals challenged with disease may select specific habitat conditions that help prevent or reduce infection. Whereas preinfection avoidance of habitats with a high risk of disease exposure has been documented in both captive and free-ranging animals, evidence of switching habitats after infection to support the clearing of the infection is limited to laboratory experiments. The extent to which wi
Authors
Gabriel M. Barrile, Anna D. Chalfoun, Annika W. Walters
The abundance of Greater Sage-Grouse as a proxy for the abundance of sagebrush-associated songbirds in Wyoming, USA
Surrogate-species concepts are prevalent in animal conservation. Such strategies advocate for conservation by proxy, wherein one species is used to represent other taxa to obtain a conservation objective. The efficacy of such approaches has been rarely assessed empirically, but is predicated on concordance between the surrogate and sympatric taxa in distribution, abundance, and ecological requirem
Authors
Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun
Behavioural plasticity modulates temperature-related constraints on foraging time for a montane mammal
Contemporary climate change is altering temperature profiles across the globe. Increasing temperatures can reduce the amount of time during which conditions are suitable for animals to engage in essential activities, such as securing food. Behavioural plasticity, the ability to alter behaviour in response to the environment, may provide animals with a tool to adjust to changes in the availability
Authors
L. Embere Hall, Anna D. Chalfoun
Mechanisms underlying increased nest predation in natural gas fields: a test of the mesopredator release hypothesis
Anthropogenic activities are changing landscapes and the context in which predator–prey dynamics evolved, thereby altering key ecological processes and community structure. Yet, the specific mechanisms underlying such changes are rarely understood. We tested whether a mesopredator release explained increased rodent density and concomitant predation of songbird nests near natural gas development. F
Authors
Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun
Black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus (Sciuridae), metapopulation response to novel sourced conspecific signals
Aggregation of territorial individuals within a species can be facilitated via conspecific signals, wherein settlement implies habitat suitability, ease of resource acquisition and/or increased predator detection. The black-tailed prairie dog is a colonial small mammal with alarm vocalizations that confer benefits via group vigilance against predators and increased foraging time. Although prairie
Authors
Anna D. Chalfoun, Lauren C. Connell, Lauren M. Porensky, John D. Scasta
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2017 annual report
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) was established in 2008 to address the scientific and conservation questions associated with land use changes because of energy development and other factors in southwest Wyoming. Over the past decade, partners from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State and Federal land management agencies, universities, and the public have collaborated to implem
Authors
Linda Zeigenfuss, Ellen Aikens, Cameron L. Aldridge, Patrick J. Anderson, Timothy J. Assal, Zachary H. Bowen, Anna D. Chalfoun, Geneva W. Chong, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Stephen S. Germaine, Tabitha Graves, Collin G. Homer, Christopher Huber, Aaron N. Johnston, Matthew J. Kauffman, Daniel J. Manier, Ryan R. McShane, Kirk A. Miller, Adrian P. Monroe, Anna Ortega, Annika W. Walters, Teal B. Wyckoff
Novel landscape elements within natural gas fields increase densities but not fitness of an important songbird nest predator
Identifying the elements within human-altered landscapes most associated with population and community changes is critical for conservation and management of sensitive species. We investigated which features of habitat change from natural gas development best explained the density of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), an important nest predator of declining sagebrush-obligate songbirds. During 20
Authors
Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun
Raptor nest-site use in relation to the proximity of coalbed methane development
Raptor nest–site use in relation to the proximity of coalbed–methane development. Energy development such as coalbed–methane (CBM) extraction is a major land use with largely unknown consequences for many animal species. Some raptor species may be especially vulnerable to habitat changes due to energy development given their ecological requirements and population trajectories. Using 12,977 observa
Authors
J.D. Carlile, Lindsey E. Sanders, Anna D. Chalfoun, K.G. Gerow
Non-target effects on songbirds from habitat manipulation for Greater Sage-Grouse: Implications for the umbrella species concept
The “umbrella species” concept is a conservation strategy in which creating and managing reserve areas to meet the needs of one species is thought to benefit other species indirectly. Broad-scale habitat protections on behalf of an umbrella species are assumed to benefit co-occurring taxa, but targeted management actions to improve local habitat suitability for the umbrella species may produce uni
Authors
Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun, Kurt T. Smith, Jeffery L. Beck
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2016 annual report
This is the ninth annual report highlighting U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science and decision-support activities conducted for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI). The activities address specific management needs identified by WLCI partner agencies. In fiscal year (FY) 2016, there were 26 active USGS WLCI science-based projects. Of these 26 projects, one project was new for FY20
Authors
Zachary H. Bowen, Ellen Aikens, Cameron L. Aldridge, Patrick J. Anderson, Timothy J. Assal, Anna D. Chalfoun, Geneva W. Chong, Cheryl A. Eddy-Miller, Steven L. Garman, Steve Germaine, Collin G. Homer, Aaron N. Johnston, Matthew J. Kauffman, Daniel J. Manier, Cynthia P. Melcher, Kirk A. Miller, Annika W. Walters, Jerrod D. Wheeler, Daniel J. Wieferich, Anna B. Wilson, Teal B. Wyckoff, Linda Zeigenfuss
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Species Management Research Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Nest mortality of sagebrush songbirds due to a severe hailstorm
Demographic assessments of nesting birds typically focus on failures due to nest predation or brood parasitism. Extreme weather events such as hailstorms, however, can also destroy eggs and injure or kill juvenile and adult birds at the nest. We documented the effects of a severe hailstorm on 3 species of sagebrush-associated songbirds: Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), Brewer's Sparrow (Spize
Authors
Jessica N. Hightower, Jason D. Carlisle, Anna D. Chalfoun