Jonathan Slaght

Ph.D. Candidate , University of Minnesota

Education

M.S. Conservation Biology - University of Minnesota 2005

B.S. Russian Language - Drew University, Madison, NJ. 1998

Research Interests

My proposed Ph.D. topic involves the Blakiston's fish owl (Ketupa blakistoni), a non-migratory, IUCN endangered species endemic to northeast Asia. I intend to investigate how Blakiston's fish owls use the resources available to them in the forests of Primorye, Russia, and to develop models that predict species occurrence across fish owl range. The primary goal of this research is to identify geographic regions of the greatest conservation value to the species, which in turn will allow for development of a sound species conservation plan. Similar to the Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) in North America, Blakiston's fish owls are in direct conflict with logging interests, as tremendous economic value is associated with the old growth forests that define fish owl habitat. Few publications dedicated to this species exist, thus it is not clear which resources are most important to fish owls. Without this knowledge, sound management decisions cannot be made, protected areas cannot be identified, and logging methods cannot be tailored to balance harvest yield with fish owl habitat requirements.

For more information and current field updates: http://www.fishowls.com

 

Publications

 

Slaght, J.C. and S.G. Surmach. 2008. Biology and conservation of Blakiston’s fish owls in Russia: a review of the primary literature and assessment of the secondary literature. Journal of Raptor Research 42: 29-37

Kerley, L.L., J.M. Goodrich, Ye.N. Smirnov, D.G. Miquelle, I.G. Nikolaev, T. Arjanova, J.C. Slaght, B.O. Schleyer, H.B. Quigley, and M.G. Hornocker. 2005. Morphological indicators of the Amur tiger. Pp. 36-42 in Miquelle, D.G., Ye.N. Smirnov, and J.M. Goodrich (eds.). Tigers in Sikhote-Alin Zapovednik: Ecology and Conservation. PSP, Vladivostok. (in Russ.)

Slaght, J.C., D.G. Miquelle, J.M. Goodrich, I.G. Nikolaev, E. N. Smirnov, B.O. Schleyer, K.Traylor-Holzer, S. Christie, T. Arjanova, J.L.D. Smith, and K. U. Karanth. 2005. Who's king of the beasts? Historical and recent body weights of wild and captive amur tigers, with comparisons to other subspecies. Pp. 25-35 in Miquelle,D.G., E.N. Smirnov, and J.M. Goodrich (eds.). Tigers in Sikhote-Alin Zapovednik: Ecology and Conservation. PSP, Vladivostok (in Russ.)

Vrishch A.E. (Russian text editor), Bartkov, B.I. (translator), Slaght, J.C. (translator and English text editor). 2004. Field Guide to the Fauna of the Ussuriyskii Taiga. Dalpress, Vladivostok (Russia). 347 p.

Slaght, J. 2004 May/June. Songbirds, Trees, and Tigers. Wildlife Conservation:13.

Voronoy, O. 2002. The Force of Life: Tiger Stories. Slaght, J., and N. Kazakov (translators). Svetlana Publishers, Vladivostok (Russia). 71p.

Contact

Mailing Address:
University of Minnesota
Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
200 Hodson Hall
St. Paul, MN 55108

Office Address:
University of Minnesota
Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
174 McNeal Hall
Office Phone: 612-624-7709

E-mail: slag0027@umn.edu