Jamie Jiminez

Profile: Jaime Jiménez started in his early years collecting insects and soon developed a passion for wildlife and outdoors. He earned a Licenciatura degree in Ecology from Catholic University in Santiago, then a Master of Science in conservation of natural resources from University of Florida and a PhD in wildlife ecology from Utah State University. He is a faculty at Universidad de Los Lagos since 1999 and currently is the head of the school of graduate studies. Jaime’s research has dealt with conservation and ecology of vertebrates, including Chilean species of small mammals, raptors, passerine and aquatic birds, and carnivores. In the United States he did research in the conservation of ducks in North Dakota (dissertation), carnivores on the coast of Virginia, seed dispersal and trout in Utah, and rodents in New York. Some of his focal species are the critically-endangered chinchillas and the Darwin’s fox, as well as the pudu deer and the mouse opossum. He has been supported, among others by grants from Chile’s NSF, WWF, Darwin Initiative, Idea Wild, Sigma Xi, International Associations of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Berryman Institute, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, American Museum of Natural History, Scott Neotropic Fund, Lincoln, and Brookfield Zoos. Jaime is a current member of 12 professional societies, has published +60 papers in journals in 4 languages and has supervised graduate students from 6 different countries. His research interests are related on how human impacts on natural systems affect biodiversity. Aside from working on forested areas and species, Jaime is currently focused on agricultural landscapes that are intensively used for grain and dairy production. The focal species is the endangered Slender-Billed Parakeet that is endemic to southern Chile, and of which virtually no information exists. The parrot uses old southern beach trees for nesting (hollows), feeds on native seeds, and large flocks raid on planted grain and fruits trees in orchards. This is why they are heavily persecuted by farmers. Although these parrots are protected by law, they are still been poached from their nests for pets. Additionally, we have documented that the scattered old nesting trees (which are hollow inside) are rapidly fell for fence posts or fire wood, and there is no regeneration of them. The sum of these impacts results in a steady decline of the Slender-Billed Parakeets. The parrot research involves the work over different temporal and spatial scales, both during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. This is a long-term and highly collaborative research that include many researchers, students, volunteers, farmers, and NGOs, which provides their time, dedication, manpower, and funding. The main actors include graduate student Ana Bertoldi, Dr. Thomas White (USF&WS), and Parrots International, particularly through Mark and Marie. Without all their help, this research could not be conducted. Jaime E. Jiménez, PhD Director de Postgrado Laboratorio de Ecología Universidad de Los Lagos