Animals play critical roles in storing, recycling, and transporting nutrients—such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium—within and across ecosystems. Yet, predicting these contributions across different spatial and temporal scales remains a major challenge, hindering our recognition of biodiversity loss consequences and planning for ecosystem conservation and restoration. My current research focuses on improving how we quantify and understand the roles animals play in biogeochemical cycling and the consequences for terrestrial ecosystems.

Relevant publications:

• Duvall. E.S., Abraham, A.J., Bellvé, A., Doughty, C., Rodewald, A., Subalusky, A., Flecker, A.S. The ecological roles of birds in biogeochemical cycling. In review

• Duvall. E.S.*, le Roux, E., Pearson, H. C., Roman, J., Malhi, Y., & Abraham, A. J*. (2024). Resisting the carbonization of animals as climate solutions. Nature Climate Change https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02106-y

• Abraham, A., Duvall, E.S., Ferraro, K., Webster, A., Doughty, C., le Roux, E., and D. Ellis-Soto. (2022). Understanding anthropogenic impacts on zoogeochemistry is essential for ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13778

Wild animals face numerous challenges to survival, including acquiring the essential nutrients needed for growth, reproduction, and overall fitness. My research explores the causes and ecological consequences of nutrient deficiencies in mammals and birds. I’m especially intrigued by how herbivores adapt to sodium (salt) scarcity, and how birds meet the high calcium demands of egg production and rapid development in the wild. To investigate these questions, I combine fieldwork, veterinary, and modeling approaches to quantify animal nutrient needs, identify deficiencies, and explore the behavioral and ecological responses that follow.

Relevant publications:

• Duvall, E., Griffiths, B., Clauss, M., and A. Abraham (2023). Allometry of sodium requirements and mineral lick use among herbivorous mammals. Oikos https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.10058

• Abraham A., Duvall, E., le Roux, E., Ganswindt, A., Clauss, M., Doughty, C., and A. Webster (2023) Anthropogenic supply of nutrients in a wildlife reserve may compromise conservation success. Biological Conservation https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110149

• Duvall, E. Hoeneisen, N., Suárez, E., and A. Flecker (2024) Geophagy by a large herbivore (capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) driven by a human sodium supply. Biotropica https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.13314

Human activities have transformed ecosystems across the globe, forcing wildlife to navigate rapid changes in the availability, accessibility, and quality of their food resources. My research explores how animals respond to these anthropogenic shifts in resource landscapes—including both declines in natural resources and the emergence of human-provided subsidies—and the broader consequences of these shifts for ecosystems and humans.

Relevant publications:

• Abraham A., Duvall, E., le Roux, E., Ganswindt, A., Clauss, M., Doughty, C., and A. Webster (2023) Anthropogenic supply of nutrients in a wildlife reserve may compromise conservation success. Biological Conservation https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110149

• Duvall, E. (2022). Spatiotemporal responses of bald eagles to changes in salmon carcass availability in the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Science Vol 95. https://doi.org/10.3955/046.095.0306

Addressing biodiversity loss requires finding sustainable ways for humans and wildlife to coexist. While human activities often drive wildlife declines, people can also play a central role in protecting and restoring animal populations. I’m increasingly focused on understanding the social and cultural barriers that hinder wildlife conservation and restoration. My work emphasizes collaboration with the communities, land stewards, and practitioners most directly involved in long-term conservation outcomes.

Relevant publications:

• Duvall, E., Schwabe, E., & Steensma, K. (2023). A win–win between farmers and an apex predator: Investigating the relationship between bald eagles and dairy farms. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4456