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| Most of my research concerns the ecology and and natural history of turtles and tortoises. I study these bizarre creatures because they are so poorly known and fascinating in their own right, and because I hope to apply the knowledge toward effective conservation and management strategies for the ever-increasing number of endangered chelonian species. Tropical species could be considered as "all of the above", and I have spent considerable time in Central America, East Africa and Southeast Asia involved with field studies of freshwater terrestrial, and marine species. |
| I am currently working in Thailand with my colleague Dr. Kumthorn Thirakhupt, and our Ph.D. student, Mr. Wachira Kitimasak (both of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok), on the ecology and conservation of the critically endangered, giant striped softshell, Chitra chitra in the Mae Klong river system. |
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Thai Turtle Team - From Left to Right: Dr. Peter Paul van Dijk,
Dr. Kumthorn Thirakhupt, Mr. Wachira Kitimasak and Dr. Don Moll |
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I am also directly involved with several North American turtle studies
currently in progress in Missouri, and elsewhere in the Midwest, and
indirectly, through advisement of my graduate students'
research.
We are investigating the effects of environmental influences on turtle
life history traits, and the ecological roles played by freshwater and
terrestrial turtles in their respective
ecosystems.
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I am also secondarily interested in birds, and have been recently
involved with research concerning the ecology of grassland birds. I
am especially concerned with the environmental characteristics which
influence habitat usage patterns by resident nesting species. |
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Dickcissel at South 61 Bird Survey Site, Army National Guard, Macon, Missouri 2001 |
