Derek Lee
Associate Research Professor
Huck Affiliations
Publication Tags
Giraffa Camelopardalis Strigiformes Demography Social Structure Metapopulation Forage Habitats Demographic Statistics Ecosystem Effect Habitat Livestock Ecology Spatial Variation Animals Foraging Habitat Preferences Vegetation Weaning Subpopulation Evolutionary Biology Winter Meta Analysis Terminology Habitat SelectionMost Recent Publications
Phenotypic matching by spot pattern potentially mediates female giraffe social associations
K. Morandi, A. K. Lindholm, D. E. Lee, M. L. Bond, 2022, Journal of Zoology on p. 147-157
Trophic processes constrain seasonal ungulate distributions at two scales in an East African savanna
Nicholas L. James, Monica L. Bond, Arpat Ozgul, Derek E. Lee, 2022, Journal of Mammalogy on p. 956-969
Forage selection by Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) at multiple spatial scales
Matana Levi, Derek E. Lee, Monica L. Bond, Anna C. Treydte, 2022, Journal of Mammalogy on p. 737-744
Effects of winter storms and oceanographic conditions on survival to weaning: a 37 year study of northern elephant seals on the Farallon Islands
Nadav Nur, Ryan W. Berger, Derek E. Lee, Pete M. Warzybok, Jaime Jahncke, 2022, Marine Ecology - Progress Series on p. 173-189
Using spot pattern recognition to examine population biology, evolutionary ecology, sociality, and movements of giraffes: a 70-year retrospective
Derek E. Lee, George G. Lohay, Douglas R. Cavener, Monica L. Bond, 2022, Mammalian Biology
Social connectedness and movements among communities of giraffes vary by sex and age class
Juan Lavista Ferres, Derek Lee, Md Nasir, Yu-Chia Chen, Avleen Bijral, Fred Bercovitch, Monica Bond, 2021, Animal Behaviour
When scientists are attacked: strategies for dissident scientists and whistleblowers.
Derek Lee, 2021, on p. 13
Socially Defined Subpopulations Reveal Demographic Variation in a Giraffe Metapopulation
Monica L. Bond, Barbara König, Arpat Ozgul, Damien R. Farine, Derek E. Lee, 2021, Journal of Wildlife Management on p. 920-931
Disentangling Post-Fire Logging and High-Severity Fire Effects for Spotted Owls.
Chad Hanson, Derek Lee, Monica Bond, 2021, Birds
Sociability increases survival of adult female giraffes
M. L. Bond, D. E. Lee, D. R. Farine, A. Ozgul, B. König, 2021, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Most-Cited Papers
Occupancy of California Spotted Owl sites following a large fire in the Sierra Nevada, California
Derek Lee, Monica L. Bond, 2015, Condor on p. 228-236
Influence of fire and salvage logging on site occupancy of spotted owls in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California
Derek E. Lee, Monica L. Bond, Mark I. Borchert, Richard Tanner, 2013, Journal of Wildlife Management on p. 1327-1341
How many species of giraffe are there?
Fred B. Bercovitch, Philip S.M. Berry, Anne Dagg, Francois Deacon, John B. Doherty, Derek E. Lee, Frédéric Mineur, Zoe Muller, Rob Ogden, Russell Seymour, Bryan Shorrocks, Andy Tutchings, 2017, Current Biology on p. R136-R137
A multi-method approach to delineate and validate migratory corridors
Monica L. Bond, Curtis M. Bradley, Christian Kiffner, Thomas A. Morrison, Derek E. Lee, 2017, Landscape Ecology on p. 1705-1721
Movements and source–sink dynamics of a Masai giraffe metapopulation
Derek E. Lee, Douglas T. Bolger, 2017, Population Ecology on p. 157-168
Spatial variation in giraffe demography: A test of 2 paradigms
Derek E. Lee, Monica L. Bond, Bernard M. Kissui, Yustina A. Kiwango, Douglas T. Bolger, 2016, Journal of Mammalogy on p. 1015-1025
Foraging habitat selection by California spotted owls after fire
Monica L. Bond, Curt Bradley, Derek E. Lee, 2016, Journal of Wildlife Management on p. 1290-1300
Spotted Owls and forest fire: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence
Derek E. Lee, 2018, Ecosphere
Proximity to humans affects local social structure in a giraffe metapopulation
Monica L. Bond, Barbara König, Derek E. Lee, Arpat Ozgul, Damien R. Farine, 2020, Journal of Animal Ecology
Previous year's reproductive state affects Spotted Owl site occupancy and reproduction responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances
Derek Lee, Monica L. Bond, 2015, Condor on p. 307-319
News Articles Featuring Derek Lee
Sep 30, 2021
Male giraffes have social connections beyond their own community
Nature is not the mechanical clinking of cogs, preordained by certain ecological laws. It is dynamic – animals and plants form complex and flexible relationships in their individual, contingent contexts. A new study revealing the differing sexual politics in giraffe society illustrates just that. The study shows that male giraffes are more socially connected than females.
Full Article
Sep 27, 2021
Male giraffes are more socially connected than females
Although female giraffes have closer “friends” than male giraffes, male giraffes have more “acquaintances” than females, according to a new study by an international team that includes a Penn State biologist. The study demonstrates that giraffes form a complex multilevel society that is driven by differences in the social connections among individuals, which could have conservation implications for the endangered giraffes.
Full Article
May 06, 2021
Whole-Genome Data Point to Four Species of Giraffe
The genome sequences of 51 giraffes from all over Africa contribute to the latest attempt in an ongoing pursuit to pin down a species number.
Full Article
Feb 10, 2021
Friends matter: More sociable giraffes live longer
Adult female giraffes that group together with more of their peers live longer than less sociable individuals, according to a five-year study of giraffes in Tanzania.
Full Article
Dec 10, 2020
Could spotted owls benefit from forest fires?
It may seem counterintuitive, but forest fires are actually beneficial to spotted owls, according to Penn State biologist Derek Lee.
Full Article
Jun 09, 2020
Human presence weakens social relationships of wild giraffes
Living in close proximity to human settlements disturbs giraffe social networks, with animals having weaker bonds and fewer interactions with other giraffes, according to a new study by a team including a Penn State biologist.
Full Article
Apr 26, 2020
Wildfires Can Reduce Biodiversity. Can Biodiversity Be Used to Reduce Wildfires?
Over the past several months, wildfires have burned a huge portion of Australia’s natural landscape. We’re talking almost 18 million acres of bushland, forest and national parks. This was not your typical annual wildfire.
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Mar 18, 2020
Improving success of giraffe translocations
Researchers advise that Giraffes being translocated for conservation purposes should be moved in groups that contain at least 30 females and three males to ensure long-term population success.
Full Article