Understanding how and why species interact is central to many fundamental questions in ecology. As environmental conditions shift, disruptions in these interactions can have cascading effects on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and conservation outcomes. My research investigates the ecological and evolutionary drivers of species interactions—spanning antagonistic (plant-herbivore), predatory (insect-bird), and mutualistic (plant-pollinator) relationships—and how they respond to anthropogenic change. By integrating field studies, experiments, modeling, and conservation applications, I aim to bridge fundamental ecological theory with real-world management strategies in human-dominated landscapes.
My current work focuses on these key questions:
My current work focuses on these key questions:
- How does anthropogenic change impact trophic relationships?
- How do plant characteristics shape individual, population, and community dynamics?
- How can mechanistic ecology and species interactions inform applied management?
- What are the effects of urbanization and ecological restoration on species interactions and community composition?
How does anthropogenic change impact trophic relationships?
My research examines plant-animal interactions, predator-prey dynamics, and coevolutionary theory to understand how anthropogenic changes—such as climate and land use change—affect biotic interactions and community diversity. I use quantitative data to address conservation challenges, providing land managers with science-based insights to preserve and restore ecosystem function and food web resilience.
I also lead the Mansfield Songbird Research Program, a 30-year longitudinal study on the demographics of high-elevation songbirds. For more information on this program and our research, visit here.
Current Projects:
Selected Relevant Publications:
Funding: Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative, David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship, University of Delaware Doctoral Fellowship, USDA Forest Service, University of Delaware, Mount Cuba Center
My research examines plant-animal interactions, predator-prey dynamics, and coevolutionary theory to understand how anthropogenic changes—such as climate and land use change—affect biotic interactions and community diversity. I use quantitative data to address conservation challenges, providing land managers with science-based insights to preserve and restore ecosystem function and food web resilience.
I also lead the Mansfield Songbird Research Program, a 30-year longitudinal study on the demographics of high-elevation songbirds. For more information on this program and our research, visit here.
Current Projects:
- Linking insect and bird populations in montane ecosystems over three decades of change
- Relationships between urbanization and migratory bird stopover ecology
Selected Relevant Publications:
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy D.W. and Marra P.P. (2018) Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115, 45: 11549-11554.
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy, D.W., and Shropshire, K.J. (2020) Few keystone plant genera support the majority of Lepidoptera species. Nature Communications, 11, 5751.
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy, D.W., Shropshire K. In press. Tree composition mitigates negative effects of urbanization on specialist and generalist forest moth communities, Ecological Solutions and Evidence
Funding: Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative, David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship, University of Delaware Doctoral Fellowship, USDA Forest Service, University of Delaware, Mount Cuba Center
- How do plant characteristics affect individual, population, and community dynamics?
- My research explores how plant identity, geographic origin, and functional traits shape plant-animal interactions and ecosystem-wide function. From an applied perspective, I am particularly interested in how informed plant selection can support biodiversity conservation in highly managed and cultivated ecosystems, such as gardens, agricultural landscapes, and forestry.
A significant focus of my work has been evaluating the ecological consequences of non-native plant species (both invasive and ornamental) on food webs. We have published several studies on how these species impact insect and bird populations and communities. Moving forward, we are expanding this research to examine other dimensions of plant introduction, including near-native species, cultivars, and non-local ecotypes. I am also strongly interested in how network ecology can be applied to conservation decision-making. My current work takes a finer-scale approach, investigating how plant traits and phylogenetic relationships influence insect and bird resource selection and performance at the individual level.
Current Projects:
- Native Plant Ecotype Study (in collaboration with Native Plant Trust)
- Pollinator Interactions on Plants (PIP) Project: Multiscale drivers of host plant use and flower visitation
Selected Relevant Publications:
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy, D.W. and Marra, P.P. (2017) Native plants improve breeding and foraging habitat for an insectivorous bird. Biological Conservation, 213: 42-50.
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy D.W. and Marra P.P. (2018) Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115, 45: 11549-11554.
- Tallamy, D.W., Narango, D.L., Mitchell, A. Do nonnative plants contribute to insect population declines? Invited submission to special issue on “Insect Declines”. In press, Ecological Entomology
- Piel, G.*, Tallamy, D.W., Narango, D.L. Lepidoptera host records accurately predict tree use by foraging birds. Northeastern Naturalist, In press.
- Baisden, E.C., Tallamy, D.W., Narango, D.L., and Boyle E.. (2018) Do cultivars of native plants support insect herbivores? HortTechnology, 28(5): 596-606.
- Narango, D.L. and Straley K. Nonnative congeneric trees are poor quality host plants for a larval Lepidopteran, Ecosphere.
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy, D.W., Shropshire K. In press. Tree composition mitigates negative effects of urbanization on specialist and generalist forest moth communities, Ecological Solutions and Evidence
Funding: One Hive Foundation, NSF DEB, The North American Bluebird Society, The Maryland Ornithological Society, Mount Cuba
How can mechanistic approaches and species interactions inform applied management and conservation in human-dominated ecosystems?
Human-dominated landscapes are among the most rapidly expanding yet least understood ecosystems on Earth. Managing working (e.g., agriculture, forestry) and living landscapes (e.g., cities, suburbs) has profound effects on both ecological processes and the people who depend on them.Throughout my career, I have used mechanistic approaches to study the ecology and habitat selection of insects and birds across urban, agricultural, forestry, and energy systems. My goal is to identify effective, evidence-based management strategies for biodiversity conservation. My current research focuses on leveraging community science and automated technologies to monitor wildlife populations and inform conservation in these dynamic environments.
Current Projects:
Selected Relevant Publications:
Funding: USFS International Program, NSF DEB, University of Delaware Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Disney Conservation
Human-dominated landscapes are among the most rapidly expanding yet least understood ecosystems on Earth. Managing working (e.g., agriculture, forestry) and living landscapes (e.g., cities, suburbs) has profound effects on both ecological processes and the people who depend on them.Throughout my career, I have used mechanistic approaches to study the ecology and habitat selection of insects and birds across urban, agricultural, forestry, and energy systems. My goal is to identify effective, evidence-based management strategies for biodiversity conservation. My current research focuses on leveraging community science and automated technologies to monitor wildlife populations and inform conservation in these dynamic environments.
Current Projects:
- Investigating intersexual differences in survival, migratory connectivity, and habitat selection in Bicknell's Thrush
- Effects of silviculture on forest-associated pollinators (with Green Mountain National Forest)
Selected Relevant Publications:
- Narango, D.L. and Rodewald, A.D. (2017) Signal information of bird song changes in human-dominated landscapes. Urban Ecosystems, 21(1): 41-50.
- Narango, D.L. Book Chapter: Habitat selection in human-dominated landscapes. In: Songbird behavior and conservation in the Anthropocene.
- Narango, D.L., Tallamy, D.W., Snyder, K.J.*, and Rice, R.A. (2019) Canopy tree preference by insectivorous birds in shade‐coffee farms: Implications for migratory bird conservation. Biotropica, 51(3): 387-398.
- Keilsohn W.*, Narango, D.L., and Tallamy D.W. (2018) Roadside habitat impacts insect traffic mortality. Journal of Insect Conservation, 22(2): 183-188
Funding: USFS International Program, NSF DEB, University of Delaware Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Disney Conservation
What are the effects of urbanization and ecological restoration on species interactions and community composition?
Urban and suburban residential yards offer a unique conservation opportunity on shared land. These spaces connect people to nature, enhance ecological literacy, and provide wildlife habitat that supports essential ecosystem function and services. By fostering a new ethos of land stewardship among private landowners, conservation efforts can integrate human values with ecological needs, transforming residential landscapes into ecologically functional habitats. However, to drive meaningful change, we need quantitative assessments of how biodiversity responds to residential land management and how the benefits of environmental stewardship scale across space and time.
Much of my research examines how residential yard management influences insect and bird community composition, with a particular focus on how these decisions shape environemental filtering and ecosystem function. My previous work has explored ground beetle, bee, and bird communities in residential yards across major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Miami, FL, Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. Currently, I am developing new projects investigating how yard management affects biodiversity-ecosystem service relationships, and the role of urban afforestation in supporting biodiversity.
Current Projects:
Selected Relevant Publications:
Funding: NSF Macrosystems
Urban and suburban residential yards offer a unique conservation opportunity on shared land. These spaces connect people to nature, enhance ecological literacy, and provide wildlife habitat that supports essential ecosystem function and services. By fostering a new ethos of land stewardship among private landowners, conservation efforts can integrate human values with ecological needs, transforming residential landscapes into ecologically functional habitats. However, to drive meaningful change, we need quantitative assessments of how biodiversity responds to residential land management and how the benefits of environmental stewardship scale across space and time.
Much of my research examines how residential yard management influences insect and bird community composition, with a particular focus on how these decisions shape environemental filtering and ecosystem function. My previous work has explored ground beetle, bee, and bird communities in residential yards across major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, Miami, FL, Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA. Currently, I am developing new projects investigating how yard management affects biodiversity-ecosystem service relationships, and the role of urban afforestation in supporting biodiversity.
Current Projects:
- Urban Macrosystems Project (in collaboration with >12 different institutions across the country)
Selected Relevant Publications:
- Cubino, P., Cavender-Bares J., Lerman, S. B., Groffman, P.M., Avolio, M.L., Trammell, T.L.E., Wheeler, M. M., Larson, K.L., Narango, D.L., Neill, C., Bratt, A.R., Hall, S. J., Hobbie, S.E. (2020) Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional composition and homogenization of residential yard vegetation with contrasting management. Landscape and Urban Planning, 202, p.103877.
- Larson, K.L., Fleeger, M., Wheeler, M.M., Andrade, R., Brown, J., Hall, S.J., Lerman, S.B., Narango, D.L. (2020) Who’s abuzz about bees? Explaining Residents’ Attitudes in Phoenix, Arizona. Urban Ecosystems, 24: 35-48.
- Lerman, S.B. Narango, D.L., Avolio, M.L., Bratt, A.R., Engebretson, J.M., Groffman, P.M., Hall S.J., Heffernan, J.B., Hobbie, S.E., Larson, K.L., Locke, D.H., Neill, C., Nelson, K.C., Padullés Cubino, J., and Trammell, T.L.E. Macroecological patterns of local and landscape management on urban breeding bird communities; How does yard management affect community composition? Ecological Applications, in press.
- Larson K.L., Lerman, S., Nelson, K., Groffman P., Grove, M., Narango, D.L., Neil, C., Wheeler, M. Examining the potential to expand wildlife-supporting residential yards and gardens. Landscape and Urban Planning.
- Lerman, S.B, Narango, D.L., Andrande, R., Warren, P.W., Grade, A., Straley, K. Book Chapter: Wildlife in the city: human drivers and human consequences. In: Urban Ecology: Its Nature and Challenge.
- Lerman, S.B., Narango, D.L., Goddard, M., Marra, P.P. Humanity for Habitat—Residential yards as an opportunity for conservation. In revision.
- Grijseels, N. et al. 15+ additional coauthors. Evapotranspiration of residential lawns across the United States. Accepted, Water Resources Research.
- Mejía, G.A., Groffman, P.M., Avolio, M.L., Bratt, A.R., Engebretson, J.M., Grijseels, N., Hall, S.J., Hobbie, S.E., Lerman, S.B., Litvak, E., Locke, D.H., Narango D.L. et al. 2024. How do urban trees vary across the US? It depends on where and how you look. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, p.e2777.
- Mejía, G.A., Groffman, P.M., Avolio, M.L., Bratt, A.R., Cavender-Bares, J., Grijseels, N.H., Hall, S.J., Heffernan, J., Hobbie, S.E., Lerman, S.B., Morse, J.L., Narango, D.L. et al. 2024. Woody Plant–Soil Relationships in Interstitial Spaces Have Implications for Future Forests Within and Beyond Urban Areas. Ecosystems, 27(2), pp.185-206.
- Narango, D.L., 15+ additional coauthors. Urban greenspace management and ecosystem services at the continental scale. In review
- Narango, D.L., 15+ additional coauthors. Urban land management and canopy cover affects ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) diversity across six US metropolitan cities. In prep.
Funding: NSF Macrosystems
* indicates undergraduate mentee
