Senior Biologist

Mr. Gabbe joined TRA in 2008 as a staff biologist skilled in conservation biology. Mr. Gabbe’s Masters and Ph.D. work provided him with over 10 years experience conducting ecological research focused on interactions between plants and birds and applying science to conservation and restoration. He has conducted ecological research from start to finish: from development of data collection methodology, to data analysis, to publication. Projects include those designed to assess habitats, monitor populations, and inventory species. Having conducted field research in California, Mr. Gabbe has an excellent knowledge of California ecosystems, flora, and fauna. Prior to joining TRA, he worked on field projects where he developed the experimental design, hired, trained, and managed field crews in data collection, species identification and data reporting.

Mr. Gabbe’s Ph.D. research focused on ecology, conservation and evolution of a pollination system between rufous hummingbird populations and their host plants in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He designed and implemented the ecological experiments and population monitoring protocol and drafted a conservation plan for rufous hummingbird populations.

Other research work Mr. Gabbe has participated in consisted of collaboration with the Cache River Restoration Project team in Illinois where research focused on the habitat relationships and foraging behavior of floodplain forest songbirds to inform land managers on how to best restore songbird habitat. Aaron was a Crew Leader with the Sustainable Ecosystems Institute in Boise, Idaho where he managed and coordinated the activities of research assistants on a project that analyzed the effects of timber harvest and forest habitat on avian communities and collaborated with team of natural resource professionals to develop and implement monitoring protocol.

Mr. Gabbe has numerous publications in journals such as Conservation Biology, Restoration Ecology, Functional Ecology, and Ecology, on topics ranging from tree species preference by foraging insectivorous birds and the implications for floodplain forest restoration, to the adaptive nature of dilute nectar: rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) concentration preference and constraints in nectar production patterns. Aaron has also refereed peer-reviewed articles for Ecology, Ecological Applications, The Auk, and The Wilson Bulletin.

Highlights

Assisting with the biological components of the Placer County HCP.

Analyzed the effects of coastal San Luis Obispo County State Park operations on threatened and endangered species. His analysis is integral to development of both an HCP and EIS/EIR.

Developed biological sections of an EIR addressing off-highway motor vehicle use in the Truckhaven area east of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Educational Background

University of California, Santa Cruz
Ph.D., Environmental Studies

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

University of Wisconsin, Madison
Bachelor of Science, Wildlife Ecology