A. Pyle (Anna)

Exploring why species occupy specific niches and how their traits facilitate or hinder their ability to inhabit various habitats presents intriguing research questions. For instance, in my study, I focus on rivers as a model ecosystem to analyze the distribution of freshwater fish globally, based on their ecological traits.

By unraveling the relationship between traits and the environment, we can forecast changes in the composition of riverine fish populations in response to shifts in environmental variables. Unfortunately, anthropogenic stressors such as climate change, pollution, damming, and invasive species pose significant threats to fish habitats, leading to alarming declines in population numbers, with 1/3 of the global population being threatened with extinction.

Utilizing traits to identify, predict, and map the fundamental niche of riverine fish species holds immense promise for informing policymakers about the conservation priorities for the most endangered biota, as WWF characterized the freshwater fish.

For further details about my research or potential internship opportunities, please feel free to reach out via email.