Spatiotemporal ecology and conservation

Spatial and temporal ecology are at the heart of all biological inquiry. Plants and animals seek out resources that are scattered across landscapes and are only accessible during specific periods of a day, month, or year. I am interested in understanding spatial patterns in resource use and availability to improve conservation planning and inform decision making.
​Selected Publications and Reports​
  • Hemming, V. [and 24 others, including J.R. Fleri]. 2022. An Introduction to Decision Science for Conservation: Theory, Frameworks, and Tools. Conservation Biology 36 (1), e13868.  https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13868
  • Fleri, J.R., P. Arcese. 2021. Physical barriers to earthworm invasion and their application in conservation planning. Ecological Solutions & Evidence 2:e12064. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02513-8​
  • Mackay, J., K. Nikiforuk, M.C. Szojka, C.J. Little, J.R. Fleri, R.M. Germain. 2021. Animals connect plant species and resources in a meta-ecosystem. Landscape Ecology (36): 1621-1629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-021-01244-4​​
  • Miller S.W., M. Schroer, J.R. Fleri, T.A. Kennedy. 2020. Macroinvertebrate oviposition habitat selectivity and egg mass desiccation tolerances: implications for population dynamics in large regulated rivers. Freshwater Science 39 (3) : 584-599. https://doi.org/10.1086/710237.

Biological invasions in plant communities

Biological invasion is among the most contentious problems in contemporary ecology and conservation biology, due in part to the difficulty of predicting how native and non-native species interact within and across trophic boundaries, and identifying key factors controlling the dispersal and persistence of invaders. I am investigating how non-native plants and animals influence the assembly rules that govern plant communities in the Garry Oak meadows of British Columbia, sagebrush steppe of Wyoming, and annual grasslands of California.
​Selected Publications and Reports​​
  • Puri, P., J.R. Fleri., P. Arcese. On the decline of Arbutus menziesii: quantifying the impact of multiple stressors. In Prep
  • Fleri J.R., T.G. Martin, A.D. Rodewald, P. Arcese. 2021. Non-native earthworms alter the assembly of a meadow plant community. Biological invasions 23 (8) : 2407-2415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02513-8 (Free read-only link here)

Science communication

Science communication is vital for converting science into action because it translates complex scientific findings into accessible and relatable information, enabling the public and policymakers to make informed decisions. Effective communication about topics like climate science or biodiversity loss can shift human perceptions, fostering a better understanding of the urgency of climate change and motivating collective action to address its challenges.
​Selected Publications​
  • Fleri, J.R., S.A. Wessel, D.H. Atkins, N.W. Case, S.E. Albeke, D.C. Laughlin. 2021. Global Vegetation Project: An Interactive Online Map of Open-Access Vegetation Photos. Vegetation Classification and Survey 2: 41-45.  https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS/2021/6057
  • ​J.R. Fleri & K. McGarry, T. Dimsdale, K. Murphy. 2023. The Six Types of Risky Movers: Understanding the Types of Americans Moving into Areas Exposed to High Climate-Related Risks. Fors Marsh - industry white paper. PDF

Restoration and resilence

Restoration has long been considered an "acid test" for ecology. My work aims to identify large scale ecological threats to the stability of freshwater and terrestrial systems and to provide constructive strategies for their recovery and long-term conservation.
​Selected Publications​
  • Laughlin, D; A. Siefert, J.R. Fleri [and 37 others] (Accepted in New Phytologist). Drought resistance and avoidance are independent strategies under selection by aridity and water table depth.
  • ​Skaien C., G. Totaro, K. Bernaus, J. Fleri, M. Bull, P. Puri, P. Arcese. 2019. Deer Abundance and the Recovery of Woody Plants of the Coastal Douglas-fir Ecosystem. Technical Report for the Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project.  PDF
  • Fleri, J.R., S. Lera, A. Gerevini, L.W. Staver, W. Nardin. 2019. Empirical and numerical modelling of tides, channel morphology, and vegetation on sediment fluxes in a restored tidal marsh. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 44 : 2223–2235. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4646