The capacities of roads, walls, and bridges to shape plant-animal interactions in the Sonoran Desert
Josh Ness
When
The Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill hosts a series of talks focused on topics that relate to the science, ecology, history, and culture of the Sonoran Desert. All talks are open to the public.
Join us for the first Tumamoc Talk of the 2025 academic year!
The capacities of roads, walls, and bridges to shape plant-animal interactions in the Sonoran Desert.
This presentation will explore the ways that fruit collection by large mammals – a valuable ecosystem service that can benefit both plant and animal – is modified by the human-built environment, and how these findings complement other work on related conservation issues in the region. The conclusions are inspired by field work at Tumamoc Hill, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, peri-urban Tucson and the Oro Valley.
Our speaker:
Josh Ness is a Biology professor at Skidmore College (in New York) that has been studying Sonoran Desert ecologies since 2003, when he has a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Arizona and taught at Pima Community College.