Gigi Bucciachio Leads Pika Research Amid Climate Change at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, CA – Gigi Bucciachio, a dedicated environmental science student at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, is turning the beautiful landscapes of the Tahoe Basin into her classroom. This legacy student has undertaken a significant research project focusing on how climate change impacts pika populations, small mammals sensitive to temperature shifts.
Over the past year, Bucciachio has deployed 50 trail cameras across the Basin to monitor pika activity patterns, capturing nearly one million images. Utilizing AI software, her analysis revealed that increasing daytime and nighttime temperatures limit pika activity. Notably, her research uncovered that, in the fall, pikas remain active at night regardless of temperature— a behavior she attributes to a critical food caching strategy for winter survival.
Bucciachio credited her success to the mentorship of faculty member Chris Smith, who aided in securing funding and project guidance. Their collaboration led to unexpected wildlife discoveries, including a possible sighting of the endangered Sierra Nevada Red Fox.
Bucciachio plans to further her research in graduate school at UNR, showcasing the unique learning environment offered by the university—integrating hands-on experience with valuable mentorship.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
