Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Staff Member


Mr. Luke A Groff

Luke Groff and Rana Pretiosa.

PhD
Phone: (207) 581 - 2939

Education

  • Ph D University of Maine 2016
  • MS Humboldt State University 2011
  • BS Pennsylvania State University 2007
  • BA King's College 2002

Biography

Hola! I began as a Research Assistant with Maine's Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Maine's Sustainability Solutions Initiative in February 2011. I was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but have left the Amish paradise for other lands. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine while satisfying my herpetological, freshwater ecology, spatial modeling and remote camping interests/passions.. As a Research Assistant with Maine's Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI), my research will contribute to SSI's overall mission of creating "an integrative research program and strong stakeholder partnerships that generate improved solutions to intersecting ecological, social, and economic challenges in and beyond Maine". Particularly, SSI is a progressive and unique interdisciplinary initiative aimed at promoting strong economies, vibrant communities and healthy ecosystems. My research will investigate amphibian use of high elevation lake landscapes (HELL) in Maine's western mountains and provide an ecological context to inform management of amphibians and aquatic resources in Maine's diverse geographic regions. Specific research aims include identifying amphibian assemblages in naturally fishless and stocked lakes, determining the necessary arrangement of aquatic and terrestrial habitats required by amphibians at HELL, and assessing the influence of beaver-created wetlands on amphibians in this landscape. My re...

Research Publications Publication Date
Groff, L.A., C.S. Loftin, and A.J.J. Calhoun. 2016. Predictors of Breeding Site Occupancy by Amphibians in Montane Landscapes. Journal of Wildlife Management. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21184 October 2016
Groff, L.A., A.L. Pitt, R.F. Baldwin, A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2015. Evaluation of a waistband for attaching external transmitters to anurans. Wildlife Society Bulletin. | Download July 2015
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2016. Hibernal Habitat Selection by Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) in a Northern New England Montane Landscape. Journal of Herpetology 50(4):559-569. http://dx.doi.org/10.1670/15-131R1 | Abstract October 2016
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, C.S. Loftin. 2017. Amphibian Terrestrial Habitat Selection and Movement Patterns Vary With Annual Life History Period. Canadian Journal of Zoology 95:433-442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0148 July 2017
Groff, L.A., A.J.K Calhoun, C.S. Loftin. 2015. LITHOBATES SYLVATICUS (Wood Frog). HABITAT USE. Northeastern Naturalist 46(2): 2015. | Download June 2015
Presentations Presentation Date
Groff, L.A., C.S. Loftin, and A.J.K.Calhoun. 2015. Habitat selection by pool-breeding amphibians in Maine's montane landscape. Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Annual Coordinating Committee Meeting, Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, Orono,ME, 25 March. March 2015
Groff, L.A., C.S. Loftin, and A.J.K. Calhoun. 2015. Local- and landscape-scale predictors of breeding site occupancy by pool-breeding amphibians in wetland-limited, montane landscapes. Presentation at the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Annual Meeting, 15-19 July, Reno, NV. July 2015
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2015.Habitat features mediate wood frog hibernaculum microclimate. North Carolina Congress of Herpetology Meeting, Asheboro, NC, 1-3 May. May 2015
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2015. Habitat features mediate wood frog hibernaculum microclimate. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Annual Meeting, 15-19 July, Reno, NV. July 2015
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2015. Habitat features mediate wood frog hibernaculum microclimate. 9th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering, Baxter State Park, Millinocket, ME, 6-8 November 2015. November 2015
Groff, L.A., A.J.K. Calhoun, and C.S. Loftin. 2013. Hibernation ecology of Lithobates sylvaticus in Maine's montane landscape. Northeast Natural History Conference, 13-15 April, Springfield, MA. April 2013
Groff, L.A., C.S. Loftin, and A.J.K. Calhoun. 2014. Hibernation ecology of Lithobates sylvaticus in Maine's montane landscape. Presentation at the 70th Annual Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, April 13-15, Portland, ME. April 2014
Groff, A.J.K. Calhoun, C.S. Loftin. 2015. Habitat features mediate wood frog hibernaculum microclimate. Annual Coordinating Committee Meeting of the Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit March 2015
Role and Organization Individual         Start Date        End Date       
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles - General member. Groff Present
Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology - General membership Groff Present