RESEARCH
I am interested in understanding how sensitive species are influenced by trophic interactions. I hope to gain a better understanding of species roles in ecosystems and ultimately assist in ecosystem restoration and species conservation.
For my master’s research with Dr. Peery, I focused on which habitats promoted the acquisition of key prey for the California spotted owl. I was able to identify precise foraging locations and characterize these habitat conditions by integrating high temporal and spatial resolution GPS tagging data with nest video monitoring – see some examples below.
I’m continuing my research in the Peery lab to gain a better understanding on how the foraging habits of the California spotted owl are influenced by wildfire. I hope this information can be used to integrate conservation plans with forest restoration activities intended to promote resilient landscapes in a region experiencing large, severe fires.
EDUCATION
M.Sc. Forest and Wildlife Ecology | University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2021
B.A. Environmental Biology | Ohio University, 2015
B.S.J. Strategic Communication | Ohio University, 2015
Kuntze*, C.C., J.N. Pauli, C.J. Zulla*, J.J. Keane, B.P. Dotters, K.N. Roberts, S.C. Sawyer, and M.Z. Peery (2023a). Landscape heterogeneity provides co-benefits to predator and prey. Ecological Applications, p.e.2908. doi.org/10.1002/eap.2908
McGinn*, K., M.Z. Peery, C. Zulla*, W.M. Berigan*, Z.A. Wilkinson*, J.M. Barry*, J.J. Keane, and B. Zuckerberg (2023a). A climate-vulnerable species uses cooler forest microclimates during heat waves. Biological Conservation, 283. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2023.110132
McGinn*, K., B. Zuckerberg, J.N. Pauli, C. Zulla*, W.M. Berigan*, Z.A. Wilkinson*, J.M. Barry*, J.J. Keane, R.J. Gutiérrez*, and M.Z. Peery (2023c). Older forests function as energetic and demographic refugia for a climate sensitive species. Oecologia, 202, 831-844. doi.org/10.1007/s00442-023-05442-6
Watson*, W.A., D.F. Hofstadter*, G.M. Jones*, H.A. Kramer*, N.F. Kryshak*, C.J. Zulla*, S.A. Whitmore*, V. O’Rourke, J.J. Keane, R.J. Gutiérrez*, and M.Z. Peery (2023a). Characterizing juvenile dispersal dynamics of invasive Barred Owls: Implications of management. Ornithological Applications duad061. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad061
Watson*, W.A., C.M. Wood*, K.G. Kelly*, D.F. Hofstadter*, N.F. Kryshak*, C.J. Zulla*, S.A. Whitmore*, V. O’Rourke, J.J. Keane, R.J. Gutiérrez*, and M.Z. Peery (2023b). Passive acoustic monitoring indicates Barred Owls are established in northern coastal California and management intervention is warranted. Ornithological Applications, 125(3). doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad017
Wilkinson*, Z.A., H.A. Kramer*, G.M. Jones*, C.J. Zulla*, K. McGinn*, J.M. Barry*, S.C. Sawyer, R. Tanner, R.J. Gutiérrez*, J.J. Keane, and M.Z. Peery (2023). Tall, heterogeneous forests improve prey capture, delivery to nestlings, and reproductive success for Spotted Owls in southern California. Ornithological Applications 125(1). doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duac048
Zulla*, C. J., H. A. Kramer*, G. M. Jones*, J. Keane, K. Roberts, B. Dotters, S. C. Sawyer, S. Whitmore*, W. Berigan*, K. Kelly*, A. Wray*, R. J. Gutiérrez*, and M. Z Peery. 2023. Forest heterogeneity outweighs movement costs by enhancing hunting success and reproductive output in California spotted owls. Landscape Ecology. 38:2655-2673.
Wilkinson*, Z.A., H.A. Kramer*, G.M. Jones*, C. Zulla*, K. McGinn*, J.M. Barry*, S.C. Sawyer, R. Tanner, R.J. Gutierrez*, J.J. Keane, and M.Z Peery (2022). Tall, heterogenous forests improve prey capture, delivery to nestlings, and reproductive success for Spotted Owls in southern California. Ornithological Applications, doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duac048
Zulla*, C., H.A. Kramer*, G.M. Jones*, J. Keane, K. Roberts, B. Dotters, S.C. Sawyer, S. Whitmore*, W. Berigan*, K. Kelly*, A. Wray*, R.J. Gutierrez*, and M.Z. Peery (2022). Large trees and forest heterogeneity facilitate prey capture by California spotted owls. Ornithological Applications doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duac024
Wood*, C.M., C. Zulla*, S. Whitmore*, D. Reid*, H.A. Kramer*, J.J. Keane, S.C. Sawyer, K. Roberts, B. Dotters, H. Klinck, W. Berigan*, and M.Z. Peery (2021c). Illuminating the nocturnal habits of owls with emerging tagging technologies. The Wildlife Society Bulletin 1-6. DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1156