Ryan Wagner

Research

 

My research aims to understand the complex interactions of climate, disease, and population dynamics. Amphibians are the most imperiled group of vertebrates on earth, with hundreds of species at risk of extinction. Climate can impact amphibian populations directly—as ectotherms, amphibian body temperature, physiology, and immunity are a function of their environment—or indirectly through effects on disease. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is an emerging fungal pathogen responsible for the decline or extinction of hundreds of amphibian species. Temperature and moisture affect Bd prevalence and infection intensity. However, we know little about how climate and Bd interact to impact long-term amphibian population dynamics. Previous studies have found inconsistent effects of climate variables such as temperature and moisture on Bd outbreaks in amphibian populations. Further, some amphibian species and populations decline or become extinct when exposed to Bd, while others remain relatively unaffected. Developing a framework to understand and predict the impacts of climate and disease on amphibian populations is imperative for the conservation of imperiled amphibian species.

 

To explore amphibian-disease dynamics, I am conducting three research projects. First, I am using long-term datasets derived by the Piovia-Scott lab to test hypotheses for how climate-drivers impact Bd’s effect on Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) populations.  Second, I am implementing disease treatments to improve overwinter survival of the most-susceptible life stages of Cascades frogs. By monitoring treated and untreated frogs, I will examine how and why treatment effectiveness varies between sites and years. Finally, I am conducting strategic translocations to reintroduce frogs into areas where they were wiped out by Bd. Translocations are considered essential for the recovery of Cascades frogs and high-elevation habitat could serve as climate refugia for the species. I will examine how habitat characteristics at recipient sites, number of individuals, and life stage translocated influence survival of translocated individuals, disease dynamics, and establishment success; I will also monitor effects on source population viability. I am conducting this research in collaboration with federal, state, and private landowners.

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Photography & Journalism

 

I tell stories about the intimate relationship between humans and the natural environment. These relationships are sometimes mutualistic, other times exploitative. I seek to capture images and write stories that reveal these everyday but often overlooked connections between humans and the world around us. My work has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Wildlife Magazine, National Wildlife Magazine, Nature, the Big Picture Competition, MontPhoto, Nature and Humans, the North American Association of Nature Photographer's Showcase, among others.

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Reviews

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Thanks for an interesting and entertaining talk, though it was also appalling and depressing.

- John Bishop, Ph.D.

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I will use these photos for the rest of my life. These are so cool. You're so cool.

-Susie Masecar

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Ryan, you're killin me.

-Bill Peterman, Ph.D.