Predicting the Spread of Invasive Asian Common Toads and the Role of Community-Managed Forests in the Mitigation of Toads in Madagascar
Research Location:
Madagascar
Conservation Partner:
Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group
Student Researcher
Max Berckmuelle, Major: Government, Minor: Data Science
Student Researcher
Xavier Starrs, Major: Conservation, Major: GovernmentFaculty Mentor
Dr. Sapana LohaniProject Description
There is increasing concern that the spread of invasive Asian common toads may have devastating impacts on the unique biodiversity of Madagascar. Toxic to anything that consumes the toad, there is an urgent need to document the spread of this invasive toad species first detected in 2014 and to explore the social and ecological factors that may be used to predict the spread of this invasive species and to mitigate its impacts on biodiversity.
Working alongside a team of researchers and Madagascar Fauna and Flora group, a group of W&M students will apply remote sensing and GIS spatial mapping technologies to map the spread of the invasive toads and will explore the potential socioecological drivers of their spread needed to curb their impact. This multi-year project aims to develop a methodology for tracking and visualizing the spread of the invasive toads and potential drivers, which will include an exploration of the spatiotemporal extent of rainforests and the role that community-managed forests in curbing deforestation and the spread of invasive toads.
