U of I Professor, Alumnus, Publish Paper in Wildlife Journal
September 25, 2020
Professor Lisette Waits and former doctoral student Robert Lonsinger along with researchers from Utah, California and federal agencies including the Department of the Army published a review of kit foxes, a species of concern in the Great Basin Desert, in The Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. The team found that shifts in vegetation — including more exotic and intrusive plants such as cheatgrass — across the high desert region of the Great Basin increased the population of coyotes and decreased rabbit population. This shift in populations led to a tenfold decline of kit fox over a period of several decades. Researchers recommend further monitoring of kit foxes — once considered one of the most abundant carnivores in the Great Basin Desert — and maintaining critical habitat including desert shrubs.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu