A man with long brown hair, a beard, and a red shirt talks to the audience of Science on Tap.
July 25 Science on Tap speaker Connor Hughes explains his work as a landscape ecologist. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

What makes a home? How do we decide an appropriate place for threatened species to live? What even is landscape ecology? This month’s Science on Tap speaker, Connor Hughes, aimed to answer these questions in his presentation and to explain how they tie into his work as a landscape ecologist. Hughes, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, began his presentation by asking audience members to make a list of what they consider essential for a home for themselves.

A man with long brown hair, a beard and a red shirt stands next to a hand drawn map of an example habitat.
One of the landscape maps used by Science on Tap speaker Connor Hughes to explain habitat needs for threatened species. Table groups were given cards that had sample plant and animal species to match to different sections of the map. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

    As a landscape ecologist, Hughes studies the relationship between wildlife and the habitats they live in. As a result of climate change and habitat fragmentation, species can lose their homes and become endangered. Landscape ecologists study regional habitats to reach a better understanding of the critical factors that define suitable habitat. Satellite imagery and math calculations are used to help assess if a habitat would fit a species specific needs. Hughes explained this concept using the simple calculations 1 x 1 = 1 and 1 x 0 = 0, where 1 equaled a habitat meeting species’ needs and 0 represented a need that was not met. In reality, the math is not as simple as 1 x 1, but it illustrated how each habitat is assessed. Even with many needs met, the lack of one critical resource or environmental condition (a "zero" in the calculation) can be enough to rule out an area as suitable habitat.

Multiple cards with species names and habitat "likes" listed on them.
Species cards were handed out to Science on Tap audience members. Each species’ “likes” corresponded to a spot on the landscape maps. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

    Hughes led the Science on Tap audience through an activity with maps he had created and sample wildlife that needed a home. Groups were given cards that had a native species with their habitat “likes” listed on the cards. Cards included species such as the Green Salamander, Tricolored Bat, Northern Flying Squirrel, and Eastern Meadowlark.

A woman holds up a species card to where she thinks it belongs on a hand drawn map.
An audience member brings up a species card and shows where she thinks it may go on the map. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

    Participants then tried to give the species the best habitat for their specifications based on Hughes’ maps. "Likes" for species included forested areas, periodically flooded riverbanks, and large plots of land, which matched up with different areas on each map. Once groups had proposed a habitat, Hughes explained the correct habitat and his reasoning.

Two women look at a sample species card after it has been handed out.
Cards were handed around for everyone to look at after species had found their ideal homes. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

    While audience members studied the threatened species cards and discussed suitable habitats for them, Hughes explained that his research can be applied in a variety of ways. One is to conduct quick assessments of areas when development is being considered. Another is to identify areas that might provide a proper home for species at risk when reintroduction programs are underway.

A man looks at a sample species card before deciding where it may need to go on the map.
An audience member reads over a card before deciding where it might go on the map. Photo by Elliott Byrd for Virginia Tech.

    Thank you, Connor Hughes and Rising Silo Brewery! Science on Tap is a monthly event sponsored and supported by the Center for Communicating Science and Virginia Tech's chapter of Sigma Xi. At our August 22 event, Glade Road Growing owners Sally Walker and Jason Pall will tell us how they turned pastureland into a  successful farm and business. Our September 26 event will feature Floyd County resident Mary Akers, who raises hermit crabs. Both will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Rising Silo Brewery in Blacksburg and will be free and open to the public. 

By Elliott Byrd, Center for Communicating Science student intern.