Assistant Professor in Population Ecology
Department of Biological Sciences
Mailing Address:
Department of Biological Sciences
Boise State University
Boise, ID 83725-1515
Email: jencruz@boisestate.edu
Lab Website: Quantitative Conservation Lab
Research
Research in the Quantitative Conservation Lab sits at the intersection of conservation, population ecology, and statistics. We aim to provide innovative, data-driven knowledge to guide conservation and strengthen species’ resilience via three research avenues: (1) improving joint species recoveries through improved knowledge of how species interact during joint recovery; (2) understanding inter- and intra-specific variability of species in a rapidly changing world, and how this knowledge can be harnessed for conservation; (3) minimizing threats from invasive species through an improved understanding of how they interact, and the conditions under which native communities are able to thrive.
We tackle these research avenues using diverse forms of data from monitoring programs, remote sensing, and field studies; collected at scales ranging from microhabitats to continents. We rely on emerging quantitative approaches (e.g., integrated population models, multispecies occupancy models), often in a Bayesian framework, and coupled with rigorous model evaluation. We aim to collaborate to ensure maximum benefits to conservation and wildlife management.
Publications
A list of publications can be found on Dr. Cruz’s Google Scholar webpage.