The role of landscape connectivity in the spread of invasive species
In addition to facilitating range expansion for native species, a connected landscape might also enable the spread of invasive species and disease. Recently, invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) have become established on the Canadian prairies. I am interested in the role of landscape connectivity in driving the colonization of this invasive species at the expansion front. I am also interested in how hybridization between wild and domestic pigs promotes or inhibits range expansion, and identifying patterns of adaptive variation across the range.
Publications
O'Brien PP, E Vander Wal, EL Koen, C Brown, J Guy, FM van Beest, RK Brook. 2019. Understanding habitat co-occurrence and the potential for competition between native mammals and invasive wild pigs at the northern edge of their range. Canadian Journal of Zoology. In press. Link
Koen EL, E Vander Wal, R Kost, and RK Brook. 2018. Reproductive ecology of recently established wild pigs in Canada. American Midland Naturalist, 179(2): 275-286. Link
Publications
O'Brien PP, E Vander Wal, EL Koen, C Brown, J Guy, FM van Beest, RK Brook. 2019. Understanding habitat co-occurrence and the potential for competition between native mammals and invasive wild pigs at the northern edge of their range. Canadian Journal of Zoology. In press. Link
Koen EL, E Vander Wal, R Kost, and RK Brook. 2018. Reproductive ecology of recently established wild pigs in Canada. American Midland Naturalist, 179(2): 275-286. Link