Join us for our Weekly Biology Seminar Series, open to biology students and enthusiasts from all disciplines. Each week, expert speakers share their latest research and insights into various fields of biology. This series offers a unique opportunity to learn, network, and engage with fellow students and professionals.

Speaker: Dr. Zack Steel

Host: Clare Throm

Title: Wildfires and wildlife – conservating biodiversity in an era of change

Abstract: Wildfires are a major driver of biodiversity patterns globally. In many ecosystems of North America, fires are becoming increasingly frequent and/or severe due to a combination of past land management practices and climate change. These shifts are likely to impact plant and animal populations and communities in complex and perhaps surprising ways. Further, managing pyric landscapes for biodiversity amidst these changing dynamics is challenged by the variable response of flora and fauna to fire. Using recent research from the western United States, this seminar will illustrate some of the variable ways biodiversity responds to fire in forested systems as well as explore general hypotheses that may help set management targets for biodiversity conservation in light of shifting fire regimes.