Kristen Dillon

Background:

I am a master’s student in the Conway lab. Broadly, my research interests are in avian ecology, conservation, behavioral ecology, and life history evolution. My master’s research centers on explaining elevational variation in avian clutch size, with a specific focus on red-faced warblers breeding in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Red-faced warblers breed along a 1000-meter elevation gradient in the Catalinas, from 1700m to 2800m, spanning nearly the entire elevational breeding range of the species. Clutch size declines along this gradient, such that high elevation breeders lay a smaller clutch than low elevation breeders. A similar pattern has been reported in numerous other species. I am testing correlative and experimental predictions of three mechanistic hypotheses in an attempt to explain why clutch size is smaller at high elevation: due to elevational variation in (1) nest predation risk, (2) food abundance, and (3) female condition. I am also testing whether high and low elevation breeders employ different life history strategies. Understanding the causes of elevational variation in clutch size may provide insights into life history evolution in general, as well as help to better understand the potential effects of climate change if montane birds are pushed to higher elevation by warmer temperatures.

 

I received my undergraduate degree in Political Ecology from Prescott College, where my focus was on the interaction between social, political, and economic circumstances and successful conservation ecology. In the several years since, I have worked as an avian field biologist throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, and Washington. In so doing, I gained extensive experience in the applied aspects of avian ecology and conservation, while working in some of the most beautiful places in the western United States. When not chasing birds, I am an avid backpacker, climber, biker and shoestring traveler. I’m also a strong believer in big skies, tall trees, good books, and strong tea.

 

    
 

Grants and Fellowships:
   
  • University of Arizona School of Natural Resources Scholorship. 2011
   
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Honorable Mention. 2011
   
  • National Science Foundation GK-12 BioME Graduate Fellowship. 2011-2012
   
  • Arizona Project WET. Mentor Scientist, Water Investigations Program. 2010

 

 
  • Arizona Game & Fish Department, Heritage Grant. 2012.
   
  • Association of Field Ornithologists, Bergstrom Memorial Research Award. 2012.
   
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. 2012.
   
  • T & E, Inc. Grants for Conservation Biology Research. 2012.
   
  • Arizona Field Ornithologists Gale Monson Research Grant. 2011.
     
   
    Presentations:
 
   
  • Dillon, K.G., and C.J. Conway. 2012. Changes in breeding phenology and elevational gradients in clutch size of red-faced warblers: effects of climate, nest predation, and food. North American Ornithological Conference, Vancouver, BC, 17 August 2012.
   
  • Dillon, K.G., and C.J. Conway. 2012. Shifts in red-faced warbler breeding phenology. Madrean Conference, Tucson, AZ, 1 May 2012.
   
  • Dillon, K.G., and C.J. Conway. 2012. Why do birds that breed at high elevation lay smaller clutches? A test of alternative hypotheses. Wildlife Society Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 3 February 2012.
   
  • Dillon, K.G., and C.J. Conway. 2011. Ecological Causes of Elevational Gradients in Clutch Size. Arizona Field Ornithologists State Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, 22 October 2011.