Dr. Erin Boydston is a research ecologist for the U.S. States Geological Survey in Irvine, California.

I research terrestrial carnivores, primarily bobcats, in their Mediterranean habitat in southern California.

Carnivores are critical to ecosystem health and maintenance of biodiversity, but their wide-ranging movements frequently bring them into conflict with people, particularly when they range outside of protected areas.

Through our research, we are learning how these animals move on this complex landscape and how they are impacted by fragmentation.

That way, we can identify areas where they are most vulnerable and make science-based recommendations to reduce the threats to their populations.

Conservationists are trying to protect remaining habitat, restore areas where the habitat quality has degraded, and restore connectivity between larger and smaller areas across the landscape. We are finding ways to conserve the biodiversity here into the future.

Our work is important to other Mediterranean habitats, because if we can preserve the mosaic of rare habitat intact here—amidst extreme urbanization— we can make it happen anywhere.

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Read more about the real people who protect Mediterranean habitats:

• Averil Dean keeps culture alive through the bush.
• Keith Bradby restores the landscape and people's respect for it.
• Dr. Erin Boydston's research helps connect habitat for bobcats.
• Back to Mediterranean Mosaic home

Photo: Dr. Erin Boydston. Photo © Suzi Eszterhas