Details for Understanding the Dynamics of Extinction

Faculty:	Fagan, William
Department:	Biology
Lab:
Campus Phone:	301-405-4672
Campus Address:	3235 Biology-Psychology Bldg.
Email:	bfagan@umd.edu
Project Details: This project seeks to use mathematical models and computer simulations to understand how populations of species go extinct. The student would be responsible for developing a database of species that have actually gone extinct (altogether or from specific localities), paying particular attention to what was known about the commonness or rarity of the species prior to extinction. This is harder than it seems, but preliminary efforts (we have 7 time series) show some really interesting patterns.
Required Skills:	General Ecology or Conservation Biology
Recommended Skills:	Interest in the process of extinction.
Other Information: