Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Ed Heske
1816 S. Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820
MC–652
Phone: 217-244-2173   Fax: 217-333-4949
Email: eheske@illinois.edu
Title: Mammalian Ecologist
Office Location: Forbes Natural History Building

Activities Research on the ecology and conservation of mammals


Courses Taught

Mammalogy IB462

Vertebrate Natural History IB364



Research
Community ecology, population biology, natural history, and conservation of mammals.

Selected Research Projects

Monitoring effects of train traffic on wildlife and plants
Ed Heske, Chris Whelan, Dave Enstrom, Jeff Levengood, Yong Cao, Allen Plocher, Brenda Molano-Flores, and John Tucker

We are monitoring how songbirds, songbird nest success, water quality, aquatic communities, plant communities, reptiles and amphibians, and insects are affected by railroad traffic in selected nature preserves in the west Chicago area. This is a 5-year study that will document differences between biotic communities near railroad tracks and away from them, and monitor changes over time as train traffic increases.

Songbird communities and nesting success in riparian forests in an agricultural region
Suzanne Beyeler and Ed Heske

Field studies (Beyeler dissertation research) include evaluating the effects of exotic invasive shrubs on songbird nest success, comparing how landscape and local habitat factors affect nest success, and examining how stream size (order) affects composition of bird communities in 12 riparian forests in central Illinois.

Ecology of Franklin's Ground Squirrel (Poliocephalus franklinii) in Illinois
Jenny Duggan, Ed Heske, and Bob Schooley

Surveys (Duggan dissertation research) for FGS are being conducted at sites in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin to evalaute habitat use, using an occupancy modeling approach. In collaboration with Working Dogs for Conservation, we are evaluating the use of trained search dog - handler teams to search for this uncommon, elusive species, and comparing effectiveness of using search dogs to traditional live-trapping surveys. We also are conducting field experiments with radio-collared ground squirrels to assess movement patterns and barriers to dispersal.

Survival, movements, and ecology of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) in riparian habitat in an area domnated by agriculture
Adam Ahlers, Bob Schooley, and Ed Heske

Riparian systems in agricultural areas are extensively modified, typically being channelized, and receiving runoff from extensive drainage tile systems in crop fields and runoff from suburban and urban areas. As a consequence, water levels can be quite flashy. We are monitoring the survival, movements, home ranges, and behavior of muskrats (Ahlers thesis research) in these highly modified ecosystems, particularly in relation to landscape context and adjacent habitat.

Ecology of mink (Neovison vison)in agricultural, riparian systems
Adam Ahlers, Bob Schooley, and Ed Heske

We are just beginning studies of the ecology of mink in the same riparian systems used for the muskrat research. Mink were the main predators of muskrats in that study. The ecology of mink in these habitats has not been studied much, so our initial work will include basic ecology and natural history such as habitat use, occupancy, and home range size and dynamics.



Message to
Students
Please see my letter to prospective students and my CV to be sure we have compatible interests, then send me an email that describes your background, interests, and career goals. Attach a current CV or resume. Generic inquiries will not get a response.

Recognition 2009 Professional Award of Merit, Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society

Editor, Journal of Mammalogy 2007-2009

UIUC List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students: 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009


Professional
affiliations
Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Adjunct Asst. Professor, Dept. of Animal Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign


Selected
publications
Wydeven, A. P., T. R. Van Deelen, and E. J. Heske, eds. 2009. Recovery of Gray Wolves in the Great Lakes Region of the United States: An Endangered Species Success Story. Springer, New York.

Carfagno, G. L. F., E. J. Heske, and P. J. Weatherhead. 2006. Does mammalian prey abundance explain forest-edge use by snakes? EcoScience 13:293-297.

Martin, J. M., and E. J. Heske. 2005. Juvenile dispersal of Franklin’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii) from a prairie “island.” American Midland Naturalist 153:444-449.

Haas, J. P., and E. J. Heske. 2005. Experimental study of the effects of mammalian acorn predators on red oak acorn survival and germination. Journal of Mammalogy 86:1015-1021.

Rowe, K. C., E. J. Heske, P. W. Brown, and K. N. Paige. 2004. Surviving the ice: northern refugia and postglacial colonization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 101:10355-10359.



Professional
society
involvement
and activities
American Society of Mammalogists (Life member)
Ecological Society of America
Society for Conservation Biology
The Wildlife Society
Southwestern Association of Naturalists

Education PhD, Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, 1985

BS, Zoology, Oregon State University, 1979

BA, English, Amherst College, 1975



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Last updated 09/21/09

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