CCRM Fellowship Program

Chris Pyke, Ph.D.
Director of Climate Change Services
CTG Energetics, Inc.
101 N. Columbus St., Suite 401
Alexandria, VA 22314
202-731-0801
www.ctgenergetics.com
cpyke@ctgenergetics.com

I am interested in understanding and improving the effectiveness of management practices for maintaining biological diversity and ecological services in human-dominated landscapes. Much of my recent research has focused on the implications of climate and land-use change at regional scales. With support from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), I have considered strategies for integrating these dynamic problems into regional conservation planning. In the Central Valley of California, I have used vernal pool wetlands as a model system to show that habitat loss can confound, compound, or even contradict changes in the distribution of hydrologic conditions available to vernal pool obligates such as branchiopods and amphibians. This work shows that it is critical to consider integrated land use and climate change scenarios when developing conservation strategies. I have also collaborated with TNC grassland ecologist Dr. Jaymee Marty to demonstrate that land management practices such as cattle grazing also play a critical role in determining hydrologic conditions available to sensitive wetland species. In fact, we believe that it is not possible to realistically assess climate change impacts on vernal pools without equal attention to land management and habitat protection. This research combines field work with computer-based analysis utilizing Geographic Information Systems, climate and land-use models, and decision support technologies. In addition to my academic research, I have worked as a geographic information specialist for the U.S. Forest Service and a private consultant for local government and private interests. I received my Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I also have a M.A. in Geography from UCSB and a B.S. in Environmental Geology from the College of William and Mary.