Applied Behavioral Ecology Lab

Dr. Michael Wagner, PI

Our Purpose

Members of the ABEL lab study the movement ecology, foraging tactics, predator-prey strategies, and reproductive behavior of invasive fishes. Our goal is to translate scientific knowledge into useful conservation and management tools. Our work is informed by three truths:

Human well-being is intimately tied to functioning aquatic ecosystems.
Invasive species represent a 'wicked problem' that threatens the health of aquatic ecosystems around the world.
The crucible for creating innovative solutions to global invasive species challenges is on the ground, working with community members, authorized managers, and fellow scientists.

Our Approach

We undertake theoretically driven, mechanistically focused, and practically intended research projects that are co-created with partners. We most commonly use sea lamprey (model organism)and the Great Lakes (natural laboratory)to create innovative and effective solutions for invasive species management and conservation of native species.

Our approach involves three sequential phases:

We combine fundamental theories of animal behavior and ecology with a deep appreciation of animal umwelt (the sensory and cognitive basis of animal perception)to construct and test mechanistic hypotheses in natural ecosystems and laboratories.
We partner with managers and community members to conceive, design, and test potential applications of our findings in real-world contexts that meet the needs of managers and the values of the community.
We prototype and optimize devices and practices that are ready for deployment, and work closely with partners to achieve implementation within an adaptive management framework.