Ann Marie Gawel

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Eleanor J. Sterling Postdoctoral Fellow

Email:: [email protected]

Ann Marie Gawel, PhD, is the first Eleanor J. Sterling Conservation Fellow at the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. She grew up in the islands of Micronesia, and continues to focus her research questions in this region. She has a PhD from Iowa State University, where she studied ecological and sociological questions about novel ecosystems in Micronesia, focusing on Guam. She has published research on seed dispersal ecology, the ecological role of non-native species, and human perceptions of environmental issues. Dr. Gawel is currently exploring ways to incorporate usefulness and cultural importance into conservation measures that have long focused on setting aside areas and limiting human use.

Dr. Gawel is also active with conservation efforts in the Mariana Islands of Micronesia. She has worked as a biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She currently sits on the board of a Marianas-based conservation non-profit Tåno, Tåsi, yan Todu (TTT), an organization committed to building local capacity in the Marianas, promoting local and Indigenous knowledge in conservation education, and facilitating community-led forest restoration efforts. Dr. Gawel is passionate about teaching and mentoring, and has taught undergraduates ecological topics, and organized several iterations of an interim ecological field course in Micronesia, teaching and mentoring a mix of students and environmental professionals. In her free time, she loves cycling, canoeing, and reading mystery and thriller novels.

Research Interests

Ecology and management of novel ecosystems, tropical island ecosystems, biology of rare species, protected species policy, human dimensions of conservation, frugivory and seed dispersal, environmental risk communication, diversity and inclusion in science, decolonizing research, Indigenous ecological knowledge

Publications

Gawel, A., H.S. Rogers, D.M. Wald. 2024. Community perceptions of invasive species and environmental management in a United States island territory. Conservation Biology, 38, e14394.

Gawel, A., E.C. Fricke, A. S. Colton, H.S. Rogers. 2023. Non-native mammals have mixed roles in seed dispersal and predation in a novel ecosystem. Biotropica. 55(6), 1148-1158.

Rogers, H. S., Cavazos, B. R., Gawel, A. M., Karnish, A., Ray, C. A., Rose, E., ... & Fricke, E. C. 2021. Frugivore gut passage increases seed germination: an updated meta-analysis. bioRxiv, 2021-10.

Wald, D. M., K. A. Nelson, A. Gawel, H. S. Rogers. 2019. The Role of Trust in Public Attitudes toward Invasive Species Management on Guam: A Case Study. Journal of Environmental Management. 229, 133-144.

Gawel, A., H.S. Rogers, R. H. Miller, A. M. Kerr. 2018. Contrasting ecological roles of non-native ungulates in a novel ecosystem. Royal Society Open Science. 5(4), 170151.