CURRENT
As an ecologist with King County in the River and Floodplain Management Section, I evaluate the impact of implementing multi-benefit flood risk reduction and habitat restoration projects like levee setbacks and floodplain reconnection projects through long-term monitoring.
PAST
Bears and Salmon
I received my Master's degree from the University of Washington in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences as a part of Dr. Tom Quinn's lab group in spring 2019. While there, I explored how grizzly bears forage on sockeye salmon in the Wood River system in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Specifically, I studied how bears consume salmon -- why do we see selectivity and partial consumption of certain fish but more complete consumption of others? When do bears choose to scavenge salmon carcasses instead of killing a fresh fish, and do they eat the same body parts? Additionally, I asked whether human harvest of salmon before they reach their spawning streams influences how much salmon bears will eat.
The relationship between salmon and bears is key in the health of riparian ecosystems, as bears transport marine-derived nutrients from salmon into terrestrial systems. Learning more about this relationship in relatively pristine ecosystems in Alaska can tell us about what our current ecosystems in the western U.S. are lacking after the decline and/or disappearance of brown bears from these regions. Lincoln, A.E. and T.P. Quinn. 2018. Optimal foraging or surplus killing: selective consumption and discarding of salmon by brown bears. Behavioral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ary139. Lincoln, A. E., R. Hilborn, A. J. Wirsing, and T. P. Quinn. 2020. Managing salmon for wildlife: Do fisheries limit salmon consumption by bears in small Alaskan streams? Ecological Applications 00(00): e02061. 10.1002/eap.2061. |
Trap Shyness
Wildlife ecologists often use mark-recapture techniques to estimate the size of a population. This technique generally requires physically capturing the animal, which can be disruptive and stressful. In this project, we use a hair snare to passively collect genetic samples from grizzly bear hair as a non-invasive method of mark-recapture. In doing so, and in generating bear population estimates from this data, we assume that all bears are equally likely to leave a hair sample over space and time -- but we don't know if this is actually true.
In this project, I used data from hair snares paired with camera traps to see if bears have gotten "wire shy" (i.e., avoid wires upon encountering them) over time, and whether wire shyness is more prevalent in certain habitats or in certain social groups. |
Elwha Dam RemovalIn collaboration with the Coastal Watershed Institute in Port Angeles, WA, I studied seasonal patterns of estuarine occupancy by juvenile bull trout in the Elwha River system. The Elwha River and its estuary recently experienced major changes after the removal of two large dams in 2011-2013, presenting the rare opportunity to see how dam removal may influence the extent to which these species utilize estuarine habitat. We found that juvenile bull trout use the Elwha estuary year-round rather than migrating to sea during a set window of time, and that the estuary likely served as a refuge habitat for bull trout during dam removal.
Lincoln, A.E., J.A. Shaffer, and T.P. Quinn. 2018. Opportunistic use of estuarine habitat by juvenile bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, from the Elwha River before, during, and after dam removal. Environmental Biology of Fishes 101:1559-1569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-018-0800-9. |
Riparian Ecology in the Sierra Nevada
Serving a year-long AmeriCorps term with the Sierra Streams Institute in Nevada City, CA, I tested various foothill yellow-legged frog populations for the presence of chytridiomycosis, an infectious fungal disease that is lethal to many amphibian species. Results indicate the presence of the disease in the Yuba and Bear River watersheds, which I hope will motivate further research, monitoring, and restoration efforts to decrease the stressors on this species.
Alongside this research, I also developed and lead a citizen science amphibian monitoring program in the Yuba and Bear River watersheds, and contributed to existing long term monitoring programs involving trapping small mammals, collecting and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates, water quality monitoring, physical habitat surveys, and quantifying algal production. Campbell, L., A. Lincoln, K.H. Strohm, C. Fraser, D. Della Santina, J. Wood, S. Meylor, J. Berkey, J. Sellen, and J. Hild. 2016. Bear River Watershed Disturbance Inventory and Existing Conditions Assessment 2016. Sierra Streams Institute, Nevada City, CA. 307 pgs. Lincoln, A. 2016. Herpetofauna of the Bear River Watershed: Results from 2016. Sierra Streams Institute,Nevada City, CA. 35 pgs. |
Prairie Restoration
While serving as an AmeriCorps member with the Center for Natural Lands Management in Olympia, WA, I took an experimental approach to explore the potential off-target impacts of herbicide use on a native wildflower species. Herbicides targeting nonnative broad-leaf grasses are commonly utilized in restoration efforts of endangered prairie habitat in the South Puget Sound, but could potentially impact camas wildflowers that are incidentally sprayed during broadcast application of the herbicide. Results suggested that the herbicides in question did not impact camas abundance, growth, or reproduction, suggesting that managers can continue with invasive grass control without negatively impacting this widespread and culturally important native species.
Lincoln, A.E., R. Brooks, and S. Hamman. 2018. Off-target impacts of graminoid-specific herbicide on common camas (Camassia quamash) growth, abundance, reproduction, and palatability to herbivores. Northwest Science 92:166-180. https://doi.org/10.3955/046.092.0304. |