Michigan Technological University

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School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Joseph K. Bump

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Joseph K. Bump

Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

  • PhD, Forest Science, Michigan Technological University
  • MS, Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming
  • BS, Biology with Honors Thesis, University of Michigan
"Nature loves to hide" —Heraclitus

Why study animal-ecosystem links?

The ecological significance of a species is a story worth telling. Telling such stories has required working among the fields of population biology, community ecology, and ecosystem science. Understanding the relationship between species and ecosystem processes is important because it critically informs management decisions and conservation science. I value and have used experimental, empirical, and theoretical approaches in my research. My preference is to develop robust empirical approaches that are designed for long-term data collection, and use field experiments to test specific hypotheses generated from empirical data.

I believe personal appreciation, public support, effective management, and conservation start with the understanding of animal-ecosystem relationships. Yet, pure science does not necessarily result in immediately useful applications. I am comfortable with ecological theory, value restoration and conservation efforts, and aim to do work that reduces the gap between the two.

Select Recent Publications

  • Sullivan*, A., Bump, J.K., Kruger, L., & Peterson, R.O. 2012. Batcave catchement areas: using stable isotopes to delineate bat hibernacula catchment areas. Ecological Applications. 22:1428-1434.
  • Klingsporn**, S., Webster, C. R., Bump, J.K. 2012. Influence of legacy-tree retention on group-selection opening persistence. Forest Ecology and Management. 286:121-128.
  • Nelson, M.P., Vucetich J.A., Paquet, P. C., and Bump, J. K. 2011. “The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation”: inadequate history, inadequate ethics. The Wildlife Professional. 5:58-60.
  • Bump, J. K. 2010. Landscapes of hope, oceans of promise: trophic cascades. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 25:554-555.
  • Lovvorn, J. R., J. J. Wilson, D. McKay, Bump, J. K., L. W. Cooper, and J. M. Grebmeier. 2010. Walruses attack spectacled eiders wintering in pack ice of the Bering Sea. Arctic, in press.
  • Bump, J.K., Webster, C. R., Vucetich, J.A, Peterson, R.O., Shields, J.M., & Powers, M.D. 2009. Ungulate carcasses perforate ecological filters and create biogeochemical hotspots in forest herbaceous layers allowing trees a competitive advantage. Ecosystems 12:996-1007.
  • Bump, J.K., Peterson, R.O., & Vucetich, J.A. 2009. Wolves modulate soil nutrient heterogeneity and foliar nitrogen by configuring the distribution of ungulate carcasses. Ecology, 90:3159-3167.
  • Lovvorn, J.R., Grebmeier, J.E., Cooper, L.W., Bump, J.K., & Richman, S.E. 2009. Modeling marine protected areas for threatened eiders in a climatically changing Bering Sea. Ecological Applications 19:1596–1613.
  • Bump, J.K., Tischler, K.B., Schrank, A.J., Peterson, R.O., Vucetich, J.A. 2009. Large herbivores and aquatic-terrestrial links in southern boreal forests. Journal of Animal Ecology 78: 338-345.
  • Bump, J.K. 2007. Pyramid of ideas: the art of generating novel research questions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 5:555-556.

Select Recent Projects

  • Wolf Ecology, Conservation, & Management in Michigan
  • Large herbivores and aquatic-terrestrial links
  • Modeling geographic catchment areas for bat hibernacula using stable isotopes
  • Predator control of resource heterogeneity via prey carcass distribution
  • Habitat structure and predator-prey interactions
  • Golden-winged Warbler Status & Ecology in Honduras
  • Assessment of suitable habitat for elk range expansion in Michigan

School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science

Forestry and Wood Products Building
1400 Townsend Dr.
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295

Ph. 906-487-2454
Toll-Free: 800-WOODS-MI
  (800-966-3764)
Email: forest@mtu.edu

Michigan Technological University

1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295
906-487-1885

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