Clare Aslan

CURRICULUM VITAE

Clare Aslan, PhD Ecology
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743-9719, [email protected], 520-465-6738.

EXPERTISE

Mutualisms; Pollination; Seed dispersal; Biological invasions; Plant-animal interactions; Field research design and implementation; Meta-analysis; Natural history education; Community ecology; Conservation biology; Interdisciplinary research design and implementation; Manuscript development

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

PhD, Ecology, 2010, University of California-Davis, Davis, California.
B.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2000, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

EXPERIENCE

Conservation Research Scientist, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2012-present

Research Focus: Global biodiversity implications of mutualism disruption and novel mutualism formation.
Additional Duties: Coordination with Education and Interpretation staff; editing natural history newsletter Sonorensis; public education presentations and teaching; adjunct researcher appointment at the University of Arizona.

Smith Conservation Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California-Santa Cruz, 2010-2012.

Analysis of the efficacy and applicability of taxon substitution as a means of plant species conservation through reestablishment of lost reproductive mutualisms. Methods included web-based survey, systematic literature review, meta-analysis, and field work focusing on plant species in the Hawaiian Clermontia lineage. Field methods included focal individual observations, systematic foraging observations, pollination and seed set quantification, and aviary-based feeding preference experiments.

NSF Predoctoral Fellow, University of California-Davis, 2004-2010

Exploration of the respective roles of bird dispersal and moisture availability in invasiveness of introduced woody plant species in north-central California. Field experiments focused on three case study species: Triadica sebifera, Olea europaea, and Ligustrum lucidum. Methods included: field-based bird foraging observations, variable distance sampling to census bird populations, aviary cafeteria experiments, irrigation-controlled garden, seed/seedling outplanting, vegetation sampling for population and reproduction quantification, ornithologist questionnaire delivered by mail.
Assessed invasion potential and identified abiotic barriers to invasiveness in Triadica sebifera, a common introduced tree species in Californian Central Valley cities. Field experiments investigated germination and early plant growth under varying naturally-occurring conditions in the region of introduction.

Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship, Long-term Trainee, University of California-Davis, 2004-2008

Identified factors influencing rancher response to invasion of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) in foothills rangelands. Worked closely with an interdisciplinary team of six graduate students. Administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to Californian ranchers to determine rancher behavior toward weeds, the factors determining weed control choices, and the most effective weed control techniques from ranchers' point of view.

Conservation Intern, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ, 2000-2001

Surveyed mid- to large-sized mammals at high elevations in the Rincon Mountains to evaluate population and movement dynamics. Methods included infrared-triggered motion-sensing photography (Trailmaster) and hair snares.

PUBLICATIONS

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

Aslan, C. E., E. S. Zavaleta, B. Tershy, and D. Croll. 2012. Effects of native and non-native vertebrate mutualists on plants. Conservation Biology 12:778-789.
Thomas, S. M., A. A. Agostinho, L. C. Gomes, M. J. Silveira, M. Rejmánek, C. E. Aslan, and E. Chow. 2012. Using space-for-time substitution and time sequence approaches in invasion ecology. Freshwater Biology 57:2401-2410.
Aslan, C., M. Rejmánek. 2012. Native fruit traits may mediate dispersal competition between native and non-native plants. NeoBiota 12:1-24.
Brodie, J. F., and C. E. Aslan. 2012. Halting regime shifts in floristically intact tropical forests deprived of their frugivores. Restoration Ecology 20:153-157.
Aslan, C. E., M. Rejmánek, and R. Klinger. 2012. Evaluating early spread of woody invaders in urban-rural matrix landscapes: an exploration of efficient methods using two species of Oleaceae. Journal of Applied Ecology 49:331-338.
Aslan, C. E., and M. Rejmánek. 2011. Smaller Olea europaea fruits have more potential dispersers: implications for olive invasiveness in California. Madroño 58:86-91.
Aslan, C. E. 2011. Implications of newly-formed seed dispersal mutualisms between birds and introduced plants in northern California, USA. Biological Invasions 13:2829-2845.
Aslan, C. E., and M. Rejmánek. 2010. Avian use of introduced plants: ornithologist records illuminate interspecific associations and research needs. Ecological Applications 20:1005-1020.
Epanchin-Niell, R. S., M. B. Hufford, C. E. Aslan, J. P. Sexton, J. D. Port, and T. M. Waring. 2010. Controlling invasive species in complex social landscapes. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 8:210-216.
Bower, M. J., C. E. Aslan, and M. Rejmánek. 2009. Invasion potential of Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera) in California's Central Valley. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2:386-395.
Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Epanchin-Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. 2009. Practical challenges in private stewardship of rangeland ecosystems: yellow starthistle control in Sierra Nevadan foothills. Rangeland Ecology and Management 62:28-37.
Aslan, C. E., A. Schaefer, and D. Swann. 2003. Gopherus agassizii (Desert Tortoise). Elevational range. Herpetological Review 34:57.
Pepperberg, I. M., R. M. Sandefer, D. Noel, and C. P. Ellsworth [Aslan]. 2000. Vocal learning in the grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus): Effects of species identity and number of trainers. Journal of Comparative Psychology 113:371-380.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ARTICLES

Aslan, C. E. 2012. "The Japanese white-eye as a potential pollinator of native Hawaiian plants." 'Elepaio: Journal of the Hawai'i Audubon Society 72:26-27.
Aslan, C. E., R. S. Epanchin-Niell, M. B. Hufford, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. 2010. "Invaders in California's ranchlands." [Policy brief.] Submitted to Californian state agencies and legislative offices and containing research results and management recommendations.
Benedict, B., S. Benjaram, M. Chinoraks, J. Clark, M. Jacobi, P. Kingston, A. Luu, A. Maraglia, and T. O'Bryan. In press. "Inyo County biodiversity under rapid environmental change." [Informational brochure.] Advisors: C. Aslan, M. Hufford, and R. Klinger. United States Geological Survey, Bishop, CA.
Bower, M. J., and C. E. Aslan. 2008. Scenic streets and tainted tributaries: invasion potential of Chinese tallow in California. Cal-IPC News 16:4-5,11.
Niell, R., Hufford, M., Aslan, C., Port, J., Sexton, J., & Waring, T. 2007. Yellow Starthistle Management and Reality. Noxious Times, 9:1.
Niell, R., C. Aslan, M. Hufford, J. Port, J. Sexton, and T. Waring. 2006. Yellow starthistle symposium: The need for regional approaches to invasion management in Sierra Nevada foothill rangelands. Noxious Times 8:4-5.
Aslan, C. E. 2005. Australia: a case study in strong weed invasion response. Noxious Times 7:10-11.

CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. 2007. The need for increased cooperation and coordination in yellow starthistle invasion management in Sierra Nevada foothill rangelands. Proceedings of the California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 10:9-11.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Aslan, C. E., E. S. Zavaleta, B. Tershy, and D. Croll. "Effectiveness of the non-native Japanese white-eye as a novel pollinator of endemic Hawaiian plants." Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, August 2012.
Aslan, C. E. "Invasive weed dispersal by birds." California Department of Fish and Game Integrated Pest Management Seminar, Monterey, CA, March 2012.
Aslan, C. E. "Evaluating the potential of non-native mutualists to rescue native species from extinction." 25th International Congress for Conservation Biology, Society for Conservation Biology, Auckland, New Zealand, December 2011.
Aslan, C. E. "Restoration in a land of widows: can non-native birds pollinate endangered Hawaiian plants?" Hawaiian Ecosystems Meeting, University of Hawaii-Hilo, Hilo, HI, July 2011.
Aslan, C. E. "Future research directions: Fitness and the new selective environment imposed by non-native mutualist partners," 5th Biennial UC Santa Cruz Plant Research Symposium, Santa Cruz, CA, February 2011.
Aslan, C. E. "The role of bird-mediated dispersal in plant invasiveness," 5th International Symposium-Workshop on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal, Montpellier, France, June 2010.
Aslan, C. E. "Emerging mutualisms: The role of bird dispersal in non-native plant invasions," Northern California Botanists 2010 Symposium, Chico, CA, January 2010.
(Poster) Aslan, C. E., and M. Rejmánek. "Accessing citizen science to guide invasion ecology: A survey of birdwatchers illuminates the relationship between birds and nonnative plants," 93rd Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Milwaukee WI, August 2008.
Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. "Calling for a regional, cooperative response to invasive species: limitations to yellow starthistle control implementation by ranchers," Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium, Davis CA, February 2008.
Bower, M. J., and C. E. Aslan. "Invasion Potential of Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) in California's San Francisco Bay-Delta region," Bay Area Conservation Biology Symposium, Davis CA, February 2008.
(Poster) Aslan, C. E., and M. Rejmánek. "Strange bedfellows: the effect of urban plant introductions on bird-plant mutualisms," Conference for Sustainability IGERTs, Fairbanks AK, October 2007.
Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. "Limitations to implementation of yellow starthistle control measures by ranchers," 92nd Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, San Jose CA, August 2007.
Aslan, C. E., and M. Rejmánek. "The role of bird dispersal in plant invasion pattern," California Invasive Plant Council and the Western Section of the Wildlife Society Joint Conference, Monterey CA, January 2007.
Aslan, C. E., M. B. Hufford, R. S. Niell, J. D. Port, J. P. Sexton, and T. M. Waring. "Yellow starthistle in Sierra Nevada foothill rangeland: control barriers and potential solutions," California Invasive Plant Council Symposium, Rohnert Park CA, October 2006.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Arizona

Guest lecturer, "Conservation Biology" (Undergraduate Course) 2012

"Biological invasions and conservation"

University of Hawaii, Hilo 2012

Guest lecturer, "Quantitative Ecology" (Graduate Course)

"Meta-analysis: methods and concepts"

Cabrillo College, California 2011

Guest lecturer, "Physical Geography" (Undergraduate Course)

"Mutualisms and movement and the implications of species extinctions and introductions for biodiversity"

University of California, Davis 2010

Guest lecturer, "Biological Invasions" (Undergraduate Seminar)

"The role of bird dispersal in invasiveness of fleshy-fruited plants"

University of California, Davis 2009

Instructor, "Californian Biodiversity and Rapid Environmental Change"

Collaboratively with another graduate student, developed and taught new upper-division undergraduate course entitled "Californian Biodiversity and Rapid Environmental Change." Created course outline, objectives, syllabus; selected covered material and required text; wrote and delivered lectures and exams; graded written assignments. Designed and developed field course component. Course included week-long field course component in which students developed field research skills by working with USGS scientists in eastern California. Student evaluations: average course rating 4.97/5.0; average instructor rating 5.0/5.0.

University of California, Davis 2009

Teaching Assistant, "Population Biology of Weeds"

Taught weekly lab focused on weed identification, assisted instructor with large-scale competition experiments, graded exams and written assignments.
Recruited and introduced seminar speakers, handled course logistics, delivered seminars

University of San Francisco, CA 2007, 2008

Guest lecturer, "Invasion Ecology" (Graduate Course)

"Bird dispersal and invasive plants in California's Central Valley"
Supervised and trained 12 undergraduate research interns. Mentored first-year IGERT graduate students, connecting them with resources and assisting with their early research idea development.

University of California, Davis 2005

Teaching Assistant, "Plant Ecology"

Led field trips, formed and conducted study groups, graded exams and written assignments.

Peace Corps, Honduras 2001-2004

Natural Resources Volunteer

Worked in rural Honduran village with local elementary school teachers to develop environmental education curriculum. Planned and delivered environmental education lessons. Created Environmental Education and Visitors' Center to teach locals of all ages about species and processes in a regional national park.