Mammalian Response to Environmental Change

Mammals play essential roles in ecosystem functioning through herbivory, predation, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling, making their responses to climate change ecologically significant. As temperatures warm and seasonal patterns shift, mammals adjust their ranges, phenology, and behavior to track suitable conditions. Some species shift poleward or upward in elevation, while others alter breeding timing, migration, or foraging activity. Climate change also disrupts predator–prey dynamics, alters community composition, and increases physiological stress in temperature-sensitive species. Understanding these responses is critical for predicting biodiversity loss, managing ecosystems, and guiding conservation strategies in a rapidly changing world.

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I aim to understand how mammals (small and big) respond to the changing environment surrounding us and discern the factors that influence these responses. In the process, I have documented response of mammalian community to environmental and anthropogenic stressors in Himalayas, coastal-central California and boreal forests. Currently, I am looking at the response of mammalian community in Kluane boreal forest, Canada.