Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department

Publications

Journal publications:

Gengler, N., M. Acevedo., and L. C. Branch. 2024. Habitat configuration influences mammal populations at a wider spatial extent than habitat composition: a meta-analysis of forest mammal datasets. Landscape Ecology 39(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-024-01805-3

CroceJ., M. Carral, L. C. Branch, and A. Pietrek. 2023. Nuevo hallazgo de poblaciones de chinchilla de cola corta (Chinchilla chinchilla) en Argentina (Discovery of new populations of short-tailed chinchilla in Argentina). Notas Sobre Mamíferos Sudamericanos 5:e23.2.3. https://doi.org/10.31687/SaremNMS23.2.3

Nuñez-Godoy, C., L. C. Branch, E. F. Pienaar, and M. M. Nuñez-Regueiro. 2023. Determinants of forest enrollment and costs of strategic targeting of payments for ecosystem services in a deforestation hotspot. Ecosystem Services 62:101539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2023.101539

Bedoya-Durán, M.J., H.H. Jones, K. M. Malone, and L.C. Branch.2023. Continuous forest at higher elevation plays a key role in maintaining bird and mammal diversity across an Andean coffee-growing landscape. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12857

Nuñez-Godoy, C., E. F. Pienaar, and L. C. Branch. 2022. Willingness of private landowners to participate in forest conservation in the Chaco region of Argentina. Forest Policy and Economics 138:102708

Bedoya-Durán, O.E. Murillo, and L.C. Branch. 2021. Factors outside privately protected areas determine mammal assemblages in a global biodiversity hotspot in the Andes. Global Ecology and Conservation 32:e01921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01921

Núñez-Regueiro, M. M., L. C. Branch, E. Derlindati, I. Gasparri, S. Marinaro, S. Nanni, C. Núñez Godoy, M. Piquer-Rodríguez, C. J. R. Soto, and A. Tálamo. 2020. Open Standards for Conservation as a tool to link research and conservation agendas in a complex socio-ecological system. Current Opinions in Sustainability 44:6-15. (Invited paper for special issue: Resilience and complexity: Frameworks and models to capture social-ecological interactions) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2020.03.001

Núñez-Regueiro, M. M., J. Hiller, L C. Branch, C. N. Godoy, S. Siddiqui, J. Volante, and J. Soto. 2020. Policy lessons from spatiotemporal enrollment patterns of Payment for Ecosystem Service Programs in Argentina. Land Use Policy 95:104596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104596

Thornton, D. H., L. C. Branch, and D. Murray. 2020. Distribution and connectivity of protected areas in the Americas facilitates transboundary conservation. Ecological Applications30(2) e02027 https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2027

Núñez-Regueiro, M. M, R. J. Fletcher, E. F. Pienaar, L C. Branch, J. Volante, and Sami Rifai. 2019. Adding the temporal dimension to spatial patterns of PES enrollment. Ecosystem Services. 36 (100906):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100906

Thornton, D. H. and L. C. Branch. 2019. Transboundary mammals in the Americas: asymmetries in protection challenge climate change resilience. Special issue on climate change in Diversity and Distributions 2019:25:674-683. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12880.

Clark, K. L., L. C. Branch, and J. Farrington. 2018. Bioturbation by mammals and fire interact to alter ecosystem-level nutrient dynamics in longleaf pine forests. PLoS ONE 13(8): e021137 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201137

Stoddard, M. A., D. L. Miller, L. C. Branch, and M. Thetford. 2018. If you build it, will they come? Use of restored beach dunes by Beach mice. Restoration Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12892

Espinosa, S. and L. C. Branch. 2018. When roads appear jaguars decline: Increased access to an Amazonian wilderness area reduces potential for jaguar conservation. PLOS One 13(1): e0189740. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189740

Gelin, M. L., L. C. Branch, D. H. Thornton, A. J. Novaro, and M. J. Gould. 2017. Response of pumas (Puma concolor) to migration of their primary prey in Patagonia. PLOS One 12 (12): e0188877. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188877. Data published in Dryad Digital Repository. doi:10.5061/dryad.7fb7r

Clark, K. L., L. C. Branch, J. L. Hierro, and D. Villarreal. 2016. Burrowing herbivores alter soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in semi-arid scrub. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 103:253-261.

Zapata-Rios, G. and L. C. Branch. 2016. Altered activity patterns and reduced abundance of native mammals in sites with feral dogs in the high Andes. Biological Conservation 193:9-16. Supplementary material.

Nunez-Regueiro, M., L. C. Branch, R. J. Fletcher, G. A. Marás, E. Derlindati, and A. Talamo. 2015. Spatial patterns of mammal occurrence in forest strips surrounded by agricultural crops of the Chaco region, Argentina. Biological Conservation 187:19-25.

Espinosa, S., L. C. Branch, and R. Cueva. 2014. Road development and the geography of hunting by an Amazonian indigenous group: consequences for wildlife conservation. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114916. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114916.

Canavelli, S. B., L. C. Branch, P. Cavallero, C. Gonzalez, and M. E. Zaccagnini. 2014. Multi-level analysis of bird abundance and damage to crop fields. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 197:128-136.

Wilkinson, E. B., L. C. Branch, and D. L. Miller. 2013. Functional habitat connectivity for beach mice depends on perceived predation risk. Landscape Ecology 28(3):547-558.

Canavelli, S. B, M.E. Swisher, and L. C. Branch. 2013. Factors related to farmers' preferences to decrease monk parakeet damage to crops. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 18(2):124-137.

Thornton, D.H., L.C. Branch, and M.E. Sunquist. 2012. Response of large galliforms and tinamous (Cracidae, Phasianidae, Tinamidae) to habitat loss and fragmentation in northern Guatemala. Oryx 46:567-576.

Wilkinson, E. B., L. C. Branch, and D. L. Miller. 2012. Use of track tubes to detect changes in abundance of beach mice. Journal of Mammalogy 93(3):791-798.

González-Roglich, M., J. Southworth, and L. C. Branch. 2012. The role of private lands for conservation: Land cover change analysis in the Caldenal savanna ecosystem, Argentina. Applied Geography 34(2):281-288.

Rodriguez-Cabal, M. and L. C. Branch. 2011. Influence of habitat factors on the distribution and abundance of a marsupial seed disperser. Journal of Mammalogy 92(6):1245-1252.

Hierro, J. L., K. L. Clark, L. C. Branch, and D. Villarreal. 2011. Native herbivore exerts contrasting effects on fire regime and vegetation structure. Oecologia 166:1121-1129. Available online DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-1954-8.
Online Resource 1 | Online Resource 2 | Online Resource 3 | Online Resource 4

Pietrek, A. and L.C. Branch. 2011. Native plantations as an important element for biodiversity in vanishing forested landscapes: a study of the threatened Araucaria Tit Spinetail (Leptasthenura setaria, Furnariidae). Austral Ecology 36:109-116.

Schooley, R. L. and L. C. Branch. 2011. Habitat quality of source patches and connectivity in fragmented landscapes. Biodiversity and Conservation 20:1611-1623.

Thornton, D.H., L.C. Branch, and M.E. Sunquist. 2011. The relative influence of habitat loss and fragmentation: Do tropical mammals meet the temperate paradigm? Ecological Applications 21(6):2324-2333.

Thornton, D.H., L. C. Branch, and M. Sunquist. 2011. Passive sampling effects and landscape location alter the relationship between species traits and vulnerability to fragmentation. Ecological Applications 21(3): 817-829.

Thornton, D.H., L. C. Branch, and M. Sunquist. 2011. The influence of landscape, patch and within-patch factors on species presence and abundance: a review of focal patch studies. Landscape Ecology 26:7-18.

Hokit, D. G., M. Assunce, J. Ernst, L. C. Branch, and A. M. Clark. 2010. Ecological metrics are better predictors of genetic connectivity than geographic distance. Conservation Genetics 11(1):149-159.

Martin, J. M, L. C. Branch, R. N. Raid, and S. C. Beyeler. 2010. Temporal instability of agricultural habitat reduces reproductive success of barn owls (Tyto alba). Auk 127(4):909-916.

Schooley, R. L. and L. C. Branch. 2009. Enhancing the area-isolation paradigm: habitat heterogeneity and metapopulation dynamics of a rare wetland mammal. Ecological Applications 19(7): 1708-1722.

Pries, A. J., L. C. Branch, and D. L. Miller. 2009. Landscape dynamics and spatial distribution of beach mice in hurricane fragmented landscapes. Journal of Mammalogy 90(4): 841-850.

Branch, L. C. and D. Villarreal. 2008. Redacción de trabajos para publicaciones cientóficas. (Writing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.) Ecología Austral 18:139-150.

Villarreal, D., K. L. Clark, L. C. Branch, J. L. Hierro, and M. Machicote. 2008. Alteration of ecosystem structure by burrowing herbivores. Journal of Mammalogy 89(3): 700-711.

Walker, R. S., A. J. Novaro, and L. C. Branch. 2007. Functional connectivity based on cost-distance and genetic analyses: a case study for the rock-dwelling mountain vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia M.) in Patagonia, Argentina. Landscape Ecology 22(9):1303-1314.

Martin, J. M., R. N. Raid, and L. C. Branch. 2007. Quantifying damage potential of three rodent species on sugarcane. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 27: 48-54.

Schooley, R.L., and L.C. Branch. 2007.Spatial heterogeneity in habitat quality and cross-scale interactions in metapopulations. Ecosystems 10:846-853.

Pries, A. J., D. L. Miller, and L. C. Branch. 2008. Identification of structural and spatial features that influence storm-related dune erosion along a barrier-island ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Coastal Research 24:168-175.

Martin, J. M., R. N. Raid, and L. C. Branch. 2007. Quantifying damage potential of three rodent species on sugarcane. Journal of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists 27: 48-54.

Schooley, R.L., and L.C. Branch. 2006. Space use by round-tailed muskrats in isolated wetlands. Journal of Mammalogy 87(3):495-500.

Schooley, R.L., and L.C. Branch. 2005. Survey techniques for determining occupancy of isolated wetlands by round- tailed muskrats. Southeastern Naturalist 4(4):745-756.

Villarreal, D., M. Machicote, L. C. Branch, J. J. Martinez, and A. Gopar. 2005. Habitat patch size and local distribution of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in Argentina. Ornitología Neotropical 16:529-537.

Schooley, R.L., and L.C. Branch. 2005. Limited perceptual range and anemotaxis in marsh rice rats Oryzomys palustris. Acta Theriologica 50:59-66.

Machicote, M., L. C. Branch, and D. Villarreal. 2004. Burrowing owls and burrowing mammals: are ecosystem engineers interchangeable as facilitators? Oikos 106:527-535.

Bird, B. L., L. C. Branch, and D. L. Miller. 2004. Effects of coastal lighting on foraging behavior of beach mice. Conservation Biology 18(5):1435-1439.

Ernst, J.A., L.C. Branch, A.M. Clark, and D.G. Hokit. 2004. Polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi). Molecular Ecology Notes 4:364-365.

Hokit, D. G. and L. C. Branch. 2004. Soil moisture alters egg development in the Florida scrub lizard, Sceloporus woodi. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Sciences 120(3):93-98.

Hokit, D. G. and L. C. Branch. 2003. Associations between patch area and vital rates: consequences for local and regional populations. Ecological Applications 13(4):1060-1068.

Walker, R. S., A. J. Novaro, and L. C. Branch. 2003. Effects of patch attributes, barriers, and distance between patches on the distribution of a rock-dwelling rodent (Lagidium viscacia). Landscape Ecology 18:187-194.

Branch, L. C., A. M. Clark, P.E. Moler, and B.W. Bowen. 2003. Fragmented landscapes, habitat specificity, and conservation genetics of three lizards in Florida scrub. Conservation Genetics 4:199-212.

Hokit, D. G. and L. C. Branch. 2003. Habitat patch size affects demographics of the Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi). Journal of Herpetology 37(2):257-265.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, and M. Machicote. 2002. Conservation challenges of ecosystem engineers: Case studies from the temperate shrublands of Argentina. The Open Country (Russian Journal of Steppe Conservation) 2002(4):37-38. (Invited paper).

Foster, G., L. C. Branch, M. Machicote, J. M. Kinsella, D. Villarreal, and D. J. Forrester. 2002. Gastrointestinal helminths of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) from Argentina, with observations on interspecific interactions between nematodes and cestodes. Journal of Comparative Parasitology 69(1):26-32.

Hokit, D. G., B. M. Stith, and L. C. Branch. 2001. Comparison of two types of metapopulation models in real and artificial landscapes. Conservation Biology. Conservation Biology 15(4):1102-1113.

Villareal, D., L. C. Branch, M. Machicote, and J. L. Hierro. 2001. Riqueza de especies en un gradiente de herbivoría de vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus).[Plant species richness along a gradient of herbivory by the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus)]. Revista de Agronomía 12(1):35-48.

Hierro, J. L., L. C. Branch, D. Villarreal, and K. L. Clark. 2000. Predictive equations for biomass and fuel characteristics of Argentine shrubs. Journal of Range Management 53(6):617-621.

Walker, R. S., W. G. Farmerie, and L. C. Branch. 2000. Microsatellite loci from the mountain vizcacha Lagidium viscacia.Molecular Ecology 9(10):1672-1674.

Couch, L., G. W. Foster, M. Machicote, and L. C. Branch. 2000. Descriptions of two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) and of E. chinchillae-like oocysts from the plains vizcacha Lagostomus maximus Desmarest, 1817 (Rodentia: Chinchillidae) in Argentina.Journal of Parasitology 87: 144-147.

Branch, L. C. and D. G. Hokit. 2000. A comparison of scrub herpetofauna on two central Florida sand ridges. Florida Scientist 63(2):108-117.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, and J. L. Hierro. 1999. Patterns of plant species diversity following local extinction of the plains vizcacha in semi-arid scrub. Journal of Arid Environments 41:173-182. (Invited paper in a series on ecological effects of burrowing mammals).

Clark, A. M., B. W. Bowen, and L. C. Branch. 1999. Effects of natural habitat fragmentation on an endemic lizard (Sceloporus woodi): an historical perspective based on an mtDNA gene genealogy. Molecular Ecology 8:1093-1104.

Hokit, D. G., B. M. Stith, and L. C. Branch. 1999. Effects of landscape structure in Florida scrub: a population perspective. Ecological Applications 9(1):124-134.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, J. L. Hierro, and K. Portier. 1996. Effects of local extinctions of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) on vegetation of the semi-arid scrub of central Argentina. Oecologia 106:389-399.

Branch, L. C., M. Pessino, and D. Villarreal. 1996. Response of mountain lions to a population decline of the plains vizcacha in semi-arid scrub of central Argentina. Journal of Mammalogy 77(4):453-472.

Jackson, J. E., L. C. Branch, and D. Villarreal. 1996. Lagostomus maximus. Mammalian Species No. 543, pp. 1-6, American Society of Mammalogists.

Branch, L. C. 1995. Observations of predation by pumas and Geoffroy's cats on the plains vizcacha in semi-arid scrub of central Argentina. Mammalia 59(1):152-156.

Branch, L. C. 1994. Seasonal patterns in the long-distance vocalization of the pampas fox. Vida Silvestre Neotropical 3(2):108-111.

Branch, L. C. and R. A. Sosa. 1994. Foraging behavior of the plains vizcacha. Vida Silvestre Neotropical 3(2):96-99.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, A. P. Sbriller, and R. A. Sosa. 1994. Diet selection of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, family Chinchillidae) in relation to resource abundance in semi-arid scrub. Canadian Journal of Zoology 72:2210-2216.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, and G. S. Fowler. 1994. Factors influencing population dynamics of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Mammalia, Chinchillidae) in scrub habitat of Central Argentina. Journal of Zoology, London, 232:383-395.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, A. Sosa, M. Pessino, M. Machicote, P. Lerner, P. Borraz, M. Urioste, and J. L. Hierro. 1994. Estructura de las colonias de vizcacha y problemas asociados con la estimación de la densidad poblacional en base a la actividad de las vizcacheras.Mastozoología Neotropical 1(2):135-142. (Structure of vizcacha colonies and problems associated with population estimates based on burrow activity)

Branch, L. C. 1993. Seasonal patterns of activity and body mass in the plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus (family Chinchillidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 71:1041-1045. Spanish translation

Branch, L. C. 1993. Social organization and mating system of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus). Journal of Zoology, London, 229:473-491.

Branch, L. C. 1993. Inter and intra-group spacing in the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus). Journal of Mammalogy 74(4):890-900.

Branch, L. C., D. Villarreal, and G. Fowler. 1993. Recruitment, dispersal, and group fusion in a declining population of the plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus; Chinchillidae). Journal of Mammalogy 74(1):9-20.

Branch, L. C. and M. F. da Silva. 1983. Folk medicines of Alter do Chao, Pará, Brasil. Acta Amazonica 13(5-6):737-797.

Branch, L. C. 1983. Seasonal and habitat differences in the abundance of primates in the Amazon (Tapajos) National Park, Brasil. Primates 24(3):424-431.

Branch, L. C. 1983. Social behavior of Phyllomedusa vaillanti tadpoles. Copeia 1983(2):420-428.

Branch, L. C. and R. Altig. 1983. Survival and behavior of four species of Ambystoma larvae under hypoxic conditions. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 74A(2):395-397.

Branch, L. C. and R. Altig. 1981. Nocturnal stratification of three species of Ambystoma. Copeia 1981(4):470-873.

Branch, L. C. and D. H. Taylor. 1977. Physiological and behavioral responses of larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) to various concentrations of oxygen. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 58A:269-274.

Book chapters and symposia:

Schooley, R.L., and L.C. Branch. 2006. Spatial distribution of round-tailed muskrats on dry prairie wetlands: untangling historical landscapes and current land use. Pp. 216-217 in Noss, R. (ed.) Florida Dry Prairie Conference Proceedings, Sebring, Florida. 241 pp.

Branch, L. C., B. M. Stith, and D. G. Hokit. 2001. Fire, habitat connectivity, and patch size: key considerations in the management of scrub for lizards. Pp. 12-14. In: D. P. Zattau (Editor). Proceedings of the Florida Scrub Symposium, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacksonville, Fl. 63 pp.

Branch, L. C. , D. Villarreal, and M. Machicote. 2000. Ecosystem engineers and their conflicts with humans: a special problem in conservation of biodiversity. ( Los ingenieros de ecosistemas y sus conflictos con los intereses humanos: una problemática particular en la conservación de la biodiversidad.) Pp. 237-247 in A. Yanosky (ed.) Memorias del IV Congresso Internacional Sobre Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en Amazonia y Latinoamerica, Fundación Moisés Bertoni, Asunción, Paraguay. 578 pp.

Other publications:

Martin, J. M, R. N. Raid, and L. C. Branch. 2005. Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Fact Sheet WEC 185, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida.

Bird, B., L. C. Branch, and Mark Hostetler. 2002. Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.). Fact Sheet WEC 165, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. 5 pp.

Branch, L. C.and D. G. Hokit. 2000. Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi). Fact Sheet WEC 139, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida. 3 pp.

Branch, L. C. , D. G. Hokit, B. M. Stith, B. W. Bowen, and A. M. Clark. 1999. Effects of landscape dynamics on endemic scrub lizards: an assessment with molecular genetics and GIS modeling. Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Tallahassee, FL. 88 pp +vi.

Branch, L. C. and D. Villarreal. 1989. Ecología y manejo de la vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus) en Argentina. Flora, Fauna y Areas Silvestre (FAO/PNUMA).

George, T. K., S. A. Marques, M. de Vivo, L. C. Branch, N. Gomes, and R. Rodrigues. 1988. Levantamento de mamíferos do Parna Tapajós. Brasil Florestal 63:33-41.

IBDF/FBCN. 1979. Plano de manejo Parque Nacional da Amazonia (Tapajós). 79 pp. (Management plan for the Amazon (Tapajós) National Park). Prepared with FAO/WWF/IBDF planning team. Brasilian Institute of Forestry Development, Brasilía, Brasil.