David Kisner

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David Kisner
Santa Barbara Audubon Society, Science Chairperson
Ecologist
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Ecology
The study of organisms and their relationship
with the environment
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Organisms

• Terrestrial Vertebrates
• Land based animals with a backbone

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Environment

• Southern California
• Wetlands
• Streams and lakes
• Sloughs and Estuaries
• Coastal Areas

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Research Organisms

• Amphibians
• Only one common species
• Reptiles
• Only 3 or 4 common species
• Most are dormant until Spring
• Mammals
• Only a handful of common species
• Most are nocturnal

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Research Organisms

• Birds
• Numerous common species
• Fairly easy to identify to species
• Interesting interactions with each other and/or
  the environment

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Audubon Projects
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Research Questions

• Species Interactions
• Cooperative? Is there a bully?
• Resource Division
• Who eats what?
• Food Choice
• Which foods are preferred or others?
• Habitat Selection
• Who is where and why?

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Herons and Egrets
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Shorebirds
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Research Questions

• Species Interactions
• Resource Division
• Food Choice
• Habitat Selection

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Your Laboratory

• Beach
• Park
• Lake
• Backyard Bird Feeder
• Food Court