Positions

Overview

  • My research focuses on the population ecology and conservation of vertebrates, with a focus on species of concern in the Northeast. I use multidisciplinary approaches, often integrating genetic and genomic tools with population and landscape modeling and the collection of observational and ecological data. I seek to address fundamental and applied questions about animal dispersal, population structure and gene flow, ecological adaptation, and occupancy and abundance monitoring. To date, I have worked with a diversity of vertebrates, including black bears, New England cottontails, tidal marsh and shrubland birds, anadromous fish, and Atlantic cod. I encourage my students to incorporate field, laboratory, and quantitative approaches in their research.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title
    2024 Remarkably High Repeat Content in the Genomes of Sparrows: The Importance of Genome Assembly Completeness for Transposable Element Discovery.Genome Biology and Evolution.  16:evae067. 2024
    2024 Ecological characteristics explain neutral genetic variation of three coastal sparrow species.Molecular Ecology.  33:e17316. 2024
    2023 Surrounding landscape, habitat and hybridization dynamics drive population structure and genetic diversity in the Saltmarsh SparrowCondor: an international journal of avian biology.  125. 2023
    2023 Climate change outpaces adaptive potential via hybridization in nesting female Saltmarsh and Nelson’s SparrowsAuk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  140. 2023
    2023 New extralimital breeding records of saltmarsh sparrows (Ammospiza caudacuta) and Nelson's sparrows (Ammospiza nelsoni) and their implications.Ecology and Evolution.  13:e10532. 2023
    2023 Breeding origins of a uniquely regular migrant songbird in the Galápagos Islands.Ecology and Evolution.  13:e9697. 2023
    2023 River‐of‐origin assignment of migratory Striped Bass, with implications for mixed‐stock analysisTransactions of the American Fisheries Society.  152:15-34. 2023
    2022 Separating Proactive Conservation from Species Listing Decisions.Environmental Management (New York): an international journal for decision-makers, scientists and environmental auditors.  70:710-729. 2022
    2022 Can at-risk species serve as effective conservation surrogates? Case study in northeastern US shrublandsEcosphere.  13. 2022
    2022 Mercury exposure of tidal marsh songbirds in the northeastern United States and its association with nest survival.Ecotoxicology.  31:208-220. 2022
    2022 Volitional tank spawning of domestic striped bass (Morone saxatilis) using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa)- induced ‘pace-setting’ femalesAquaculture.  532:Not-Available. 2022
    2022 Population structure of a grassland songbird (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) to inform conservation unitsBiodiversity and Conservation.  31:77-96. 2022
    2021 Genomic data reveal the biogeographical and demographic history of Ammospiza sparrows in northeast tidal marshesJournal of Biogeography.  48:2360-2374. 2021
    2021 Meta-analysis: Congruence of genomic and phenotypic differentiation across diverse natural study systems.Evolutionary Applications: evolutionary approaches to environmental, biomedical and socio-economic issues.  14:2189-2205. 2021
    2021 Sperm length divergence as a potential prezygotic barrier in a passerine hybrid zone.Ecology and Evolution.  11:9489-9497. 2021
    2021 High uncertainty over the future of tidal marsh birds under current sea-level rise projectionsBiodiversity and Conservation.  30:431-443. 2021
    2021 Patterns of introgression vary within an avian hybrid zone.BMC Ecol Evol.  21:14. 2021
    2020 Assessment of Alternative Sampling Designs for Range-wide Monitoring of New England CottontailWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  44:798-806. 2020
    2020 Paternal Strain Effects on Growth and Body Shape in Hybrid Striped Bass (White Bass female x Striped Bass male)North American Journal of Aquaculture.  82:405-413. 2020
    2020 Habitat openness and edge avoidance predict Saltmarsh Sparrow abundance better than habitat areaCondor: an international journal of avian biology.  122. 2020
    2020 Monitoring a New England Cottontail Reintroduction with Noninvasive Genetic SamplingWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  44:110-121. 2020
    2020 Spatiotemporal landscape genetics: Investigating ecology and evolution through space and time.Molecular Ecology.  29:218-246. 2020
    2019 Divergent selection and drift shape the genomes of two avian sister species spanning a saline-freshwater ecotone.Ecology and Evolution.  9:13477-13494. 2019
    2019 Hierarchical population structure of a rare lagomorph indicates recent fragmentation has disrupted metapopulation functionConservation Genetics.  20:1237-1249. 2019
    2019 Novel signals of adaptive genetic variation in northwestern Atlantic cod revealed by whole-genome sequencing.Evolutionary Applications: evolutionary approaches to environmental, biomedical and socio-economic issues.  12:1971-1987. 2019
    2019 A test of a corollary of Allen's rule suggests a role for population densityJournal of Avian Biology.  50. 2019
    2019 Genomics of rapid ecological divergence and parallel adaptation in four tidal marsh sparrows.Evol Lett.  3:324-338. 2019
    2019 Adaptive genetic variation underlies biocomplexity of Atlantic Cod in the Gulf of Maine and on Georges Bank.PLoS One.  14:e0216992. 2019
    2018 Evaluating a focal-species approach for tidal marsh bird conservation in the northeastern United StatesCondor: an international journal of avian biology.  120:874-884. 2018
    2018 Bidirectional adaptive introgression between two ecologically divergent sparrow species.Evolution.  72:2076-2089. 2018
    2018 Strain evaluation of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) cultured at different salinitiesAquaculture.  492:215-225. 2018
    2018 The role of divergent mating strategies, reproductive success, and compatibility in maintaining the Saltmarsh-Nelson's sparrow hybrid zoneAuk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  135:693-705. 2018
    2018 Quantifying the importance of geographic replication and representativeness when estimating demographic rates, using a coastal species as a case studyEcography: pattern and diversity in ecology.  41:971-981. 2018
    2018 Spatially explicit abundance estimation of a rare habitat specialist: implications for SECR study designEcosphere.  9(5):e02217. 2018
    2018 Annual variation in the offspring sex ratio of Saltmarsh Sparrows supports Fisher's hypothesisAuk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  135:342-358. 2018
    2017 Microsatellite marker development from next-generation sequencing in the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and cross-amplification in the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus).BMC Research Notes.  10:741. 2017
    2017 Demographic analysis demonstrates systematic but independent spatial variation in abiotic and biotic stressors across 59 percent of a global species range.Auk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  134:903-916. 2017
    2017 Temporal shifts in the saltmarsh-Nelson's sparrow hybrid zone revealed by replicated demographic and genetic surveysConservation Genetics.  18:453-466. 2017
    2017 Subspecies delineation amid phenotypic, geographic and genetic discordance in a songbird.Molecular Ecology.  26:1242-1255. 2017
    2017 Seasonal fecundity is not related to geographic position across a species' global range despite a central peak in abundance.Oecologia.  183:291-301. 2017
    2016 Extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence fitness in an avian hybrid zoneBiological Journal of the Linnean Society.  119:890-903. 2016
    2016 Differential introgression and the maintenance of species boundaries in an advanced generation avian hybrid zone.BMC Evolutionary Biology.  16:65. 2016
    2016 Anthropogenic Habitats Facilitate Dispersal of an Early Successional Obligate: Implications for Restoration of an Endangered Ecosystem.PLoS One.  11:e0148842. 2016
    2016 Genotype-environment associations support a mosaic hybrid zone between two tidal marsh birds.Ecology and Evolution.  6:279-294. 2016
    2015 Relationship of phenotypic variation and genetic admixture in the Saltmarsh-Nelson's sparrow hybrid zoneAuk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  132:704-716. 2015
    2015 Development of diagnostic microsatellite markers from whole-genome sequences of Ammodramus sparrows for assessing admixture in a hybrid zone.Ecology and Evolution.  5:2267-2283. 2015
    2015 HIGH GENETIC CONNECTIVITY IN WOOD FROGS (LITHOBATES SYLVATICUS) AND SPOTTED SALAMANDERS (AMBYSTOMA MACULATUM) IN A COMMERCIAL FORESTHerpetological Conservation and Biology.  10:64-89. 2015
    2015 Limited influence of local and landscape factors on finescale gene flow in two pond-breeding amphibians.Molecular Ecology.  24:742-758. 2015
    2015 Peritoneal Pigmentation in Purebred and Hybrid River HerringTransactions of the American Fisheries Society.  144:717-723. 2015
    2014 Consequences of a mismatch between biological and management units on our perception of Atlantic cod off New EnglandICES Journal of Marine Science: journal du conseil.  71:1366-1381. 2014
    2014 Factors Influencing Detection in Occupancy Surveys of a Threatened LagomorphWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  38:513-523. 2014
    2014 A multiscale analysis of gene flow for the New England cottontail, an imperiled habitat specialist in a fragmented landscape.Ecology and Evolution.  4:1853-1875. 2014
    2013 Comparison of Live-Trapping and Noninvasive Genetic Sampling to Assess Patch Occupancy by New England Cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) RabbitsWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  37:901-905. 2013
    2013 Limited effects of suburbanization on the genetic structure of an abundant vernal pool-breeding amphibianConservation Genetics.  14:1083-1097. 2013
    2013 MALE-SKEWED SEX RATIO IN SALTMARSH SPARROW NESTLINGSCondor: an international journal of avian biology.  115:411-420. 2013
    2013 Identifying the spatial scale of population structure in anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)Fisheries Research.  141:95-106. 2013
    2013 No differences in egg buoyancy and anti-freeze protein production in genetically divergent subpopulations of Gulf of Maine Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)Fisheries Research.  141:130-135. 2013
    2012 Anthropogenic influences on the spatial genetic structure of black bearsConservation Genetics.  13:1247-1257. 2012
    2012 FINE-SCALE POPULATION STRUCTURE AND ASYMMETRICAL DISPERSAL IN AN OBLIGATE SALT-MARSH PASSERINE, THE SALTMARSH SPARROW (AMMODRAMUS CAUDACUTUS)Auk: a quarterly journal of ornithology.  129:247-258. 2012
    2011 Population genetic structure and history of fragmented remnant populations of the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis)Conservation Genetics.  12:943-958. 2011
    2011 Genetic Mark-Recapture Population Estimation in Black Bears and Issues of ScaleJournal of Wildlife Management.  75:1128-1136. 2011
    2011 GENETIC BARCODE RFLP ANALYSIS OF THE NELSON'S AND SALTMARSH SPARROW HYBRID ZONEThe Wilson Journal of Ornithology.  123:316-322. 2011
    2010 Fine-scale spatial and temporal genetic structure of Atlantic cod off the Atlantic coast of the USAMarine Ecology: Progress Series.  410:177-U195. 2010
    2010 Understanding climate impacts on recruitment and spatial dynamics of Atlantic cod in the Gulf of Maine: Integration of observations and modelingProgress in Oceanography.  87:251-263. 2010
    2007 Stock identification of Atlantic cod in US waters using microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism DNA analysesTransactions of the American Fisheries Society.  136:375-391. 2007
    2006 A Range-Wide Survey to Determine the Current Distribution of New England CottontailsWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  34:1190-1197. 2006
    2006 A range-wide survey to determine the current distribution of New England cottontailsWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  34:1190-1197. 2006
    2003 Effects of body size on male mating tactics and paternity in black bears, Ursus americanusCanadian Journal of Zoology.  81:1257-1268. 2003
    2003 Evaluation of fecal mtDNA analysis as a method to determine the geographic distribution of a rare lagomorphWildlife Society Bulletin: perspectives on wildlife conservation and sustainable use.  31:1061-1065. 2003
    Genomics of admixture and differential introgression in two divergent sparrow speciesEvolution
    The role of mating strategy, reproductive success, and mate compatibility in mataining species boundaries in an avian hybrid zoneThe Auk

    Article

    Year Title
    2024 Whole-genome data uncover the basis of local adaptation with gene flow in a threatened coastal songbird 2024

    Chapter

    Year Title
    2018 New England cottontails.  156-157. 2018

    Principal Investigator On

  • Tidal Marsh Bird Weskeag Marsh  awarded by Ducks Unlimited 2024 - 2031
  • Rapid Monitoring of Sparrows in GM  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2024 - 2029
  • Enhancing Structural Diversity  awarded by National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 2024 - 2027
  • NE Cottontail Rel Site Monitor  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2024 - 2027
  • Sparrow Movements in Maine  awarded by Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund 2024 - 2026
  • A region-wide collab approach  awarded by State University of New York, Syracuse 2021 - 2025
  • Development and Application of  awarded by US DOC, Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin 2023 - 2025
  • Restoration Monitoring of Sparrows  awarded by Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve 2024
  • A region-wide collab approach for adaptive mgmt imperiled young forest dependent  awarded by State University of New York, Syracuse 2021 - 2024
  • Hurricane Sandy Marsh Restor  awarded by University of Delaware 2017 - 2024
  • New England Cottontail Release Site & Noman's Island Monitoring  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2021 - 2023
  • New England Cottontail Monitoring in Maine  awarded by Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 2021 - 2023
  • Sparrow Monitoring in NH  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2022 - 2023
  • Informing Species Status Assessments for the endemic butterflies of Northern New England  awarded by US DA, United States Forest Service 2022 - 2023
  • RII Track-2FEC: GECO  awarded by National Science Foundation (NSF) 2018 - 2023
  • RII Track-2FEC: Genomic Ecology of Coastal Organisms (GECO): A Systems-based Research and Training Program in Genome-Phenome Relationships in the Wild  awarded by National Science Foundation (NSF) 2018 - 2023
  • Ground-truthing Salt Marsh Prioritization Tools using Tidal Marsh Bird Data In NH  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2021 - 2023
  • Assessing the Ecological Effectiveness of Hurricane Sandy Marsh Restoration  awarded by University of Delaware 2017 - 2022
  • Genomic Tools for Understanding Metapopulation Connectivity of the White Mountains Fritillary: a Pilot Study  awarded by NH Department of Fish & Game 2021 - 2022
  • Melissa Bauer: Grant-in-Aid  awarded by Amer Society Of Mammalogists 2018 - 2021
  • Melissa Bauer: Grant-in-Aid of Research  awarded by Amer Society Of Mammalogists 2018 - 2021
  • NFWF: Demonstrating the Efficacy of Early Successional Forest Restoration in Creating Functioning Landscapes for New England Cottontail  awarded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2018 - 2020
  • FWS: Shrubland Bird  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2015 - 2020
  • FWS: Shrubland Bird & NE Cottontail Surrogate Species  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2015 - 2020
  • Sparrow Nanotag  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2015 - 2020
  • Sparrow Nanotagging-FWS  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2015 - 2020
  • New Hampshire Cottontail Monitoring  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2020
  • Multi-Colony Analysis of the Diet of Adult Puffins  awarded by American Ornithological Society 2018 - 2019
  • WMI NEC Genetic Monitoring  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2015 - 2019
  • WMI-New England Cottontail Genetic Monitoring  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2015 - 2019
  • Metapopulation Dynamics and Viability of New England Cottontails in an Urban New Hampshire Landscape  awarded by NH Department of Fish & Game 2016 - 2018
  • Great Thicket Pellet Samples  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2017 - 2018
  • Genetic Variation Related to Growth Performance in Domestic and Wild Striped Bass  awarded by Auburn University 2018
  • Genetic Monitoring of NE Cottontails in Connecticut  awarded by Connecticut, State of 2012 - 2018
  • Resilience of Tidal Marsh Bird Community to Hurricane Sandy  awarded by University of Maine 2015 - 2017
  • Metagenomic Analysis of Tidal Marsh Sparrow Diets  awarded by Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 2017
  • MDIFW-Improved Population Estimation for NEC  awarded by Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 2015 - 2017
  • SK GMRI Cod Intrastock Diversity and Resilience  awarded by Gulf of Maine Research Institute 2014 - 2017
  • WNERR-NEC Representative Species for Shrubland Birds  awarded by Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve 2015 - 2016
  • Occupancy Monitoring of NEC in Londonderry, NH  awarded by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc 2016
  • UNE Subcontract-New England Cottontail Burrows Project  awarded by University of New England 2015 - 2016
  • Conservation Genetics for Adaptive Managment of New England Cottontail - USGS SSP  awarded by US DOI, US Geological Survey 2014 - 2015
  • Genetic Testing and Monitoring of New England Cottontails  awarded by US DOI, Department of the Interior 2013 - 2015
  • Monitoring Cottontail Occupancy in Western Massachusetts for AECOM  awarded by AECOM 2014 - 2015
  • Monitoring Outcomes of New England Cottontail Trans-Locations in NH  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2014 - 2015
  • Genetic Investigations of Hybridization and Metapopulation Dynamics  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2010 - 2015
  • Using Spatial and Genetic Tools to Understand Functional Connectivity in a Patchy Landscape  awarded by National Science Foundation (NSF) 2013 - 2015
  • Quantifying the Short-Term Impacts of Hurricane Sandy on Tidal-marsh Birds and their Habitats  awarded by University of Maine 2014
  • Genetic Testing and Monitoring of New England Cottontails  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2010 - 2014
  • Patterns of Selection in Avian Hybrid Zone-Walsh AOU Award  awarded by The American Ornithologists' Union 2012 - 2014
  • Focusing New England Cottontail Restoration through Understanding Landscape Utilization-OHF  awarded by Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund 2012 - 2013
  • Monitoring Saltmarsh Sparrow Nests for Studies of Hybridization  awarded by Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 2011 - 2012
  • Genetic Monitoring of Cottontails in Maine and New Hampshire  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2010 - 2011
  • Noninvasive Genetic Monitoring of Cottontails in Maine: Detection and Population Estimation  awarded by Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 2010 - 2011
  • Development of Noninvasive Monitoring Tools for New England Cottontail Populations  awarded by Wildlife Management Institute 2010 - 2011
  • Genetic Testing for New England Cottontails  awarded by Connecticut, State of 2007 - 2010
  • Geographic Structure of New England Cottontails in Maine  awarded by Maine, State of 2008 - 2009
  • Genetic Testing for New England Cottontails  awarded by US DOI, US Fish & Wildlife Service 2008 - 2009
  • DNA Anaylsis of Hunter-Harvested Bears  awarded by NH Department of Fish & Game 2009
  • Co-principal Investigator On

    Teaching Activities

  • Conservation Genetics Taught course
  • Investigations Biomedical Sci Taught course
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2024
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2024
  • Investigations in Genetics Taught course 2023
  • Landscape Genetics Taught course 2022
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2022
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2022
  • Student Research Experience Taught course 2021
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2021
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2021
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2020
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2020
  • Inv/Wildlife Techniques Taught course 2020
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2020
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2020
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2020
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2019
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2019
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2019
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2019
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2019
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2019
  • Seminar Taught course 2018
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2018
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2018
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/Natural Res Taught course 2018
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2018
  • Sustain Biological Diversity Taught course 2018
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/Natural Resource Taught course 2017
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2017
  • Wildlife Population Ecology Taught course 2017
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/Natural Res Taught course 2017
  • Vertebrate Biology Taught course 2017
  • Vertebrate Biology Taught course 2017
  • Adv Rsrch Exp/Natural Resource Taught course 2016
  • Seminar Taught course 2016
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2016
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2016
  • Spec Top/Conservation Genetics Taught course 2016
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2015
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2015
  • Rsrch Exp/Natural Resources Taught course 2015
  • Vertebrate Biology Taught course 2015
  • Vertebrate Biology Taught course 2015
  • Vertebrate Biology Taught course 2015
  • Investigations Taught course 2014
  • Honors Senior Thesis Taught course 2014
  • Intro to Forensic Sciences Taught course 2014
  • Investigations Taught course 2014
  • Education And Training

    Full Name

  • Adrienne Kovach