 L. David Mech
Adjunct Professor, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation
Biology
Senior
Scientist, Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
Mailing address:
Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology/USGS
Rm 100E, The Raptor
Center
1920 Fitch Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (651) 649-5231
Fax: 649-5233
Email: mechx002@umn.edu
Internet: www.davemech.org
B.S.,
Cornell University
Ph. D. Purdue University
Fields of Interest
Wolf ecology, behavior, physiology, and relationships with prey; wolf
prey escape and defense mechanisms and behavior; predator-prey relations
Research
My research involves monitoring wolf-deer relations in the Superior National
Forest, determining the degree and manner of influence of each population
on the other, and exploring the role of other factors, especially snow conditions
and canine parvovirus, that influence the system. With the same system and
research
techniques, I am also attempting to learn as much as possible about basic
life history, movements, and social ecology of both species. Meanwhile, I am
conducting
complementary research on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, and in Yellowstone
National Park. The Ellesmere research concentrates primarily on observing
the interactions of pack members with each other and with pups around a den
and
observing wolf interactions with musk-oxen and arctic hares. The Yellowstone
National Park studies concentrate primarily on wolf interactions with prey,
including mortality and survival studies of elk.
Selected Publications
- Mech, L. D., and L. Boitani (Editors). 2003. Wolves: Behavior, ecology,
and conservation. University of Chicago Press. 428 pp.
- Mech, L. D. (Editor). 2000. The wolves of Minnesota: Howl in the heartland.
Voyageur Press, Stillwater, MN. 127pp.
- Mech, L. D., L. G. Adams, T. J. Meier, J. W. Burch and B. W. Dale. 1998.
The wolves of Denali. University of Minnsota Press.
- Gese, E. M. and L. D. Mech. 1991. Dispersal of wolves (Canis lupus)
in northeastern Minnesota. Can. J. Zool. 69: 2946-2955.
- Mech, L. D. 1981. The wolf: Ecology and behavior of an endangered species.
University of Minnesota Press.
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