Maya A. M. Gounard
Papers
1
Total Citations
102
H-Index
1
About
Maya A. M. Gounard is a behavioral ecologist whose research explores how urbanization reshapes animal communication and survival strategies. Her most influential work, “Multimodal alarm behavior in urban and rural gray squirrels studied by means of observation and a mechanical robot” (2010, 102 citations), pioneered the use of robotic stimuli to study wildlife behavior in natural settings. By comparing urban and rural squirrel populations, Gounard revealed that city-dwelling squirrels exhibit distinct, multimodal alarm responses—blending vocal, postural, and tail-flagging signals—that differ markedly from their rural counterparts. This finding challenged assumptions about behavioral plasticity and demonstrated how anthropogenic environments drive rapid, adaptive shifts in communication. Gounard’s innovative methodology, combining field observation with robotic models, has inspired a generation of researchers to integrate technology into behavioral studies. Her work not only advances our understanding of urban ecology but also underscores the importance of studying non-model organisms in human-altered landscapes. With her creative experimental designs and focus on real-world environmental pressures, Gounard remains a key voice in the growing field of urban behavioral ecology.
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Top Papers
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