Nicole Limunga Smolensky
Graduate Student
Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Section of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Systematics
Research Interests: My current research focus is on conservation of reptiles and amphibians within the nation. In the future I'd like expand my research to herpetological conservation on an international scale. Specifically, conservation of herpetofauna in Cameroon merging ecological and evolutionary theory with community-based management.
Masters Thesis:
Estimating Population Densities of the Sand Dune Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus)
Abstract: Herpetofauna, such as the sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus), are especially threatened by habitat loss via oil and gas development (Fitzgerald et al. 1997, Painter et al. 1999 and Sias and Snell 1998). The extent to which development depresses lizard populations is unknown. Stakeholders are interested in population estimates of this endangered species. The primary objective of my study was to determine population densities of S. arenicolus across its geographic distribution using distance sampling (Buckland et al. 1993). To test the feasibility and precision of distance sampling on S. arenicolus, I compared distance density estimates to densities obtained from total removal plots (Rodda and Campbell 2001). Removal plots consisted of 100 m2 enclosures where all animals and vegetation were removed. Distance estimates for the S. arenicolus and all lizard species combined were 5.7 lizards/ha (95% CI = 3.8 - 8.7;) and 33.0 lizards/ha (95% CI =23.0 - 47.4) respectively (n = 237 transects). Density estimates from the total removal plots (n = 20) were 30 S. arenicolus/ha (95% CI = 5.6-54.4) and 90 lizards/ha (95% CI = 51.0-129.0). The large difference in density estimates from distance sampling and total removal plots probably resulted from detectability issues during distance sampling. If distance sampling consistently underestimates density with respect to total removal plots, then a correction factor can be applied to the distance estimates. Using corrected distance densities we can assess how densities change throughout S. arenicolus distribution as a function of oil and gas development.
Extra-curricular Activities
I'm an aspiring bi-athlete, slowly building up my road-riding (bicycle riding) and running. I'm currently training to do 2 half-marathons (the Austin marathon and the College Station marathon).
Contact
Address: 215 Old Heep Blgd., Dept. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
TAMU MS 2258, College Station, TX. 77843-2258
Office/Lab Phone: (979) 862-7245
Email: nsmo@tamu.edu