Heather D. Vance-Chalcraft

Contact information:
East Carolina University
Department of Biology
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Telephone: 252-328-9841
FAX: 252-328-4178
vancechalcrafth@ecu.edu

Education:

2003.   University of Illinois, Ph.D., Biology. Dissertation: The effects of multiple predator species on the prey’s risk of predation. Dr. D.A. Soluk, adviser.

1997.   Wittenberg University, B.A., Biology (University and Departmental Honors), Thesis: Translocation of fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in central Ohio. Dr. T. Lewis, adviser.

Research Interests: My broad research interest is how abiotic and biotic factors influence population dynamics and community structure. I am particularly interested in predicting the risk of predation that prey face in the presence of multiple predator species. My approach combines ecological theory, natural history, and the study of animal behavior with experiments in the field and laboratory. I also use a non-experimental approach to examine patterns of temporal variation in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In general, I try to use the most appropriate study system for my particular questions, but the bulk of my research has been done with aquatic insects and fish. I have also worked with aquatic plants, fox squirrels, and tropical forests.

Predator-Prey Interactions:

          Understanding whether a prey’s risk of predation from individual predator species can be summed together to predict the predation risk when multiple predator species are together is crucial for predicting community dynamics. Observed predation risks can either match the predictions of a null model of additivity (additive risk) or vary from them (non-additive risk) in either a positive (risk enhancement) or negative (risk reduction) direction. Additivity, risk enhancement, and risk reduction have all been documented in nature, but it is unclear how commonly each of these outcomes occurs within a large assemblage of predators because few studies have tested the assumption of additivity beyond one pair of predator species. I am interested in understanding how frequently the effects of multiple predator species are additive, as well as evaluating whether the outcome of multiple predator species interactions are dependent on 1) the number of predator individuals or the number of predator species, 2) the identity of the prey species present, 3) the density of prey present, and 4) experimental venue. By altering characteristics of the predators, prey, and experimental venue and evaluating their impacts on the outcome of multiple predator species interactions, this research provides a more complete picture of the realistic risk of predation prey face in the variable natural world.

Relationship between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions:

          Understanding long-term temporal variation in tropical forest structure and biodiversity is necessary in order to begin to predict possible impacts of future global climate change. In collaboration with Michael Willig (University of Connecticut), Stephen Cox (Texas Tech University), Ariel Lugo (International Institute of Tropical Forestry), and Fred Scatena (University of Pennsylvania), I am using long-term data collected by the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of Puerto Rico (an NSF-funded Long Term Ecological Research site) to:

1) Examine patterns of diversity and species composition within plots and among plots over time
2) Examine changes in diversity and species composition with productivity within sites and among sites over time

Publications Include:

Vance, H.D. and D.A. Francko. 1997. Allelopathic potential of Nelumbo lutea (Willd.)

Pers. to alter growth of Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton pectinatus. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 12(3):405-409.

Soluk, D.A., J.A. Steinmetz, J. Sandberger, L.L. Zuehls, H.D. Vance-Chalcraft, and K.L. Moss. 2003. Black Partridge Creek Water Quality Assessment 1994-2002. Final Report: Aquatic Ecology Report 03/04. Illinois Natural History Survey.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D., D.A. Soluk, and N. Ozburn. 2004. Is prey predation risk influenced more by increasing predator density or predator species richness in stream enclosures? Oecologia 139:117-122.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D. and D.A. Soluk. 2005. Multiple predator effects result in risk reduction for the prey across multiple prey densities. Oecologia 144:472-480.

Vance-Chalcraft, H.D. and D.A. Soluk. 2005. Estimating the prevalence and strength of non-independent predator effects. Oecologia 146: 452-460.

Professional Memberships:

American Society of Naturalists
Ecological Society of America

National Association of Biology Teachers

National Science Teachers Association
North American Benthological Society

Sigma Xi

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