Thilina Surasinghe

About

I am a wildlife ecologist with specialization in landscape ecology and conservation biology. I earned my PhD from Clemson University, USA with my research focus on the impacts of current and historical land uses on stream ecosystems. My research focuses on community organization and biotic homogenization along urban-rural gradients; landscape-scale conservation planning; conservation of endangered wildlife; revision of environmental policies; wetland restoration, and ecology of freshwater ecosystems.

Work

Bridgewater State University

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Assistant Professor

US

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Rhodes College

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Assistant Professor

US

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Gustavus Adolphus College

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Associate Professor

US

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Clemson University

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Instructor of Record

US

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Education

Clemson University

United States of America
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PhD

University of Colombo

Sri Lanka
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BS in Zoology

Publications

Standardized NEON organismal data for biodiversity research

other

Flagship plant communities in restored wetlands exhibited rapid vegetation recovery and substantial gain in surface-water extents

Harvard Dataverse

data-set

Harnessing the full potential of drones for fieldwork

BioScience

journal-article

Temporal Shifts in Biological Community Structure in Response to Wetland Restoration: Implications for Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Diversity

journal-article

Leveraging Phenology to Assess Seasonal Variations of Plant Communities for Mapping Dynamic Ecosystems

Remote Sensing

journal-article

Restored wetlands show rapid vegetation recovery and substantial surface‐water expansion

Restoration Ecology

journal-article

Temporal Shifts in Biological Community Structure in Response to Wetland Restoration: Implications for Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Management

Diversity

journal-article

Identification of Priority Areas for Conservation of Threatened Agamid Lizards of Sri Lanka Using Species Distribution Modeling

Integrative Conservation

journal-article

Leveraging Phenology to Assess Seasonal Variations of Plant Communities for Mapping Dynamic Ecosystems

Remote Sensing

journal-article

Gentrification drives patterns of alpha and beta diversity in cities

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

journal-article

Systematic review and best practices for drone remote sensing of invasive plants

Methods in Ecology and Evolution

journal-article

Gentrification drives patterns of alpha and beta diversity in cities

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

journal-article

Systematic review and best practices for drone remote sensing of invasive plants

Methods in Ecology and Evolution

journal-article

Native and exotic plant invasions vary across habitat types and anthropogenic disturbances in a tourism-heavy protected area

Biological Invasions

journal-article

Datasets: Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

OpenAlex

other

Datasets: Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

OpenAlex

other

Datasets: Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

OpenAlex

other

Datasets: Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

OpenAlex

other

A theoretical framework for the ecological role of three-dimensional structural diversity

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

journal-article

Forest ecosystem properties emerge from interactions of structure and disturbance

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

journal-article

Integrating forest structural diversity measurement into ecological research

Ecosphere

journal-article

Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

Nature communications

journal-article

Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial taxa worldwide

bioRxiv

other

Native and exotic plant invasions vary across habitat types and anthropogenic disturbances in a tourism-heavy protected area

Biological Invasions

journal-article

Datasets: Urbanisation generates multiple trait syndromes for terrestrial animal taxa worldwide

OpenAlex

other

Riparian Buffers as a Critical Landscape Feature: Insights for Riverscape Conservation and Policy Renovations

Diversity

journal-article

Native and exotic plant invasions vary across habitat types and anthropogenic disturbances in a tourism-heavy protected area

Biological Invasions

journal-article

Silky dogwood (Swida amomum) seed dispersal by freshwater turtles

American Journal of Botany

journal-article

Silky dogwood (Swida amomum) seed dispersal by freshwater turtles

American Journal of Botany

journal-article

Standardized NEON organismal data for biodiversity research

Ecosphere

journal-article

Standardized NEON organismal data for biodiversity research

Ecosphere

journal-article

Bioclimatic Envelopes for Two Bat Species from a Tropical Island: Insights on Current and Future Distribution from Ecological Niche Modeling

Diversity

journal-article

Bioclimatic Envelopes for Two Bat Species from a Tropical Island: Insights on Current and Future Distribution from Ecological Niche Modeling

Diversity

journal-article

Bioclimatic Envelopes for Two Bat Species from a Tropical Island: Insights on Current and Future Distribution from Ecological Niche Modeling

Diversity

journal-article

Riparian Buffers as a Critical Landscape Feature: Insights for Riverscape Conservation and Policy Renovations

Diversity

journal-article

Riparian Buffers as a Critical Landscape Feature: Insights for Riverscape Conservation and Policy Renovations

Diversity

journal-article

Biophysical predictors of spatial variation in abundance and population dynamics of an invasive decapod

Marine Ecology

journal-article

Community stability is related to animal diversity change

Ecosphere

journal-article

Diversity of herpetofauna at restored cranberry bogs: A comparative survey of herpetofaunal diversity at a restored wetland in comparison to a retired cranberry bog to assess the restoration success

Herpetological Journal

journal-article

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN SRI LANKA: A CAUTIONARY NOTE FOR THE FUTURE OF RANGERS

Parks

journal-article

Harnessing the NEON data revolution to advance open environmental science with a diverse and data-capable community

Ecosphere

journal-article

Distribution, Habitat Associations and Conservation Status of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger

Ardeola

journal-article

Ecological Forecasting Initiative: NEON Ecological Forecasting Challenge documentation V1.0 ...

journal-article

Expanding NEON biodiversity surveys with new instrumentation and machine learning approaches

journal-article

Expanding NEON biodiversity surveys with new instrumentation and machine learning approaches

Ecosphere

journal-article

Defenders of wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka: a cautionary note for the future of rangers

PARKS

journal-article

Lesser large-footed Bat (Myotis hasseltii) from Southwest Sri Lanka

Taprobanica

journal-article

Lesser large-footed Bat (Myotis hasseltii) from Southwest Sri Lanka

Taprobanica

journal-article

What can we learn from wildlife sightings during the COVID‐19 global shutdown?

Ecosphere

journal-article

new species of the genus ceratophora gray, 1835 (reptilia: agamidae) from a lowland rainforest in sri lanka, with insights on rostral appendage evolution in sri lankan agamid lizards

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

journal-article

Multi-Decadal Forest-Cover Dynamics in the Tropical Realm: Past Trends and Policy Insights for Forest Conservation in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Forests

journal-article

Multi-decadal forest-cover dynamics in the tropical realm: Past trends and policy insights for forest conservation in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Forests

journal-article

Multi-Decadal Forest-Cover Dynamics in the Tropical Realm: Past Trends and Policy Insights for Forest Conservation in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Forests

journal-article

Challenges in biodiversity conservation in a highly modified tropical river basin in Sri Lanka

Water (Switzerland)

journal-article

Chocolate pipistrelle (Hypsugo affinis) from Hantana, Sri Lanka, after 87 years

Taprobanica

journal-article

Chocolate pipistrelle (Hypsugo affinis) from Hantana, Sri Lanka, after 87 years

Taprobanica

journal-article

Round-eared tube-nosed bat (Murina cyclotis) from Southwest Sri Lanka

Taprobanica

journal-article

Round-eared tube-nosed bat (Murina cyclotis) from Southwest Sri Lanka

Taprobanica

journal-article

What can we learn from wildlife sightings during the COVID-19 global shutdown?

journal-article

What can we learn from wildlife sightings during the COVID-19 global shutdown?

Ecosphere

journal-article

Reappraisal of herpetofauna recorded from jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka with remarks on conservation, diversity, and distribution

Russian Journal of Herpetology

journal-article

Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation in a Highly Modified Tropical River Basin in Sri Lanka

Water

journal-article

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM (ERICACEAE) IN AUBURN, MASSACHUSETTS

Rhodora

journal-article

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS of RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM (ERICACEAE) in AUBURN, MASSACHUSETTS

Rhodora

journal-article

Description of a new species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Nilgala Savannah forest, Uva Province of Sri Lanka

Zootaxa

journal-article

Description of a new species of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Nilgala Savannah forest, Uva Province of Sri Lanka ...

other

Egestion of plant propagules by turtles in a small Massachusetts river

Journal of Natural History

journal-article

Integrative taxonomy reveals six new species of day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Reptilia:Squamata: Gekkonidae) from geographically-isolated hill forests in Sri Lanka

Vertebrate Zoology

journal-article

Population Decline of the Invasive Asian Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) and Dynamics of Associated Intertidal Invertebrates on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Northeastern Naturalist

journal-article

Three new species of day geckos (Reptilia: Gekkonidae: Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887) from isolated granite cave habitats in Sri Lanka

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

journal-article

Variable plastron coloration of the eastern painted turtles Chrysemys picta picta in a single locality of south-eastern Massachusetts, USA

Herpetological Bulletin

journal-article

A new record of the rare Hardwicke’s Woolly Bat Kerivoula hardwickii (Horsefield, 1824) (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) after 23 years from a lowland rainforest of Sri Lanka

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

A new record of Kerivoula hardwickii (Horsefield, 1824) (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) after 23 years from a lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Chiropteran diversity in the peripheral areas of the Maduru-Oya National Park in Sri Lanka: Insights for conservation and management

ZooKeys

journal-article

Ecological and zoological study of endemic Sri Lankan keelback (Balanophis ceylonensis): With implications for its conservation

Vertebrate Zoology

journal-article

Evidence of aquatic plant seed dispersal by eastern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) in Massachusetts, USA

Aquatic Botany

journal-article

Gerarda prevostiana (Serpentes: Homalopsidae) in Sri Lanka: Distribution and behaviour

Herpetological Bulletin

journal-article

Figure 3 from: Edirisinghe G, Surasinghe T, Gabadage D, Botejue M, Perera K, Madawala M, Weerakoon D, Karunarathna S (2018) Chiropteran diversity in the peripheral areas of the Maduru-Oya National Park in Sri Lanka: insights for conservation and management. ZooKeys 784: 139-162. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.784.25562

other

A new record of the rare Hardwicke's Woolly Bat Kerivoula hardwickii (Horsefield, 1824) (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) after 23 years from a lowland rainforest of Sri Lanka

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: some implications for conservation and management

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: Some implications for conservation and management

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: some implications for conservation and management

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Distribution, habitat associations and conservation implications of Sri Lankan freshwater terrapins outside the protected area network

Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

journal-article

Distribution, habitat associations and conservation implications of Sri Lankan freshwater terrapins outside the protected area network

Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

journal-article

Distribution, habitat associations and conservation implications of Sri Lankan freshwater terrapins outside the protected area network

Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

journal-article

Ecological and behavioural traits of the Sri Lankan water monitor (Varanus salvator) in an urban landscape of Western Province, Sri Lanka

Marine and Freshwater Research

journal-article

Ecological and behavioural traits of the Sri Lankan water monitor (Varanus salvator) in an urban landscape of Western Province, Sri Lanka

Marine and Freshwater Research

journal-article

Ecological and behavioural traits of the Sri Lankan water monitor (Varanus salvator) in an urban landscape of Western Province, Sri Lanka

Marine and Freshwater Research

journal-article

Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toad Adenomus kandianus: A long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

ORYX

journal-article

Impact of vehicular traffic on vertebrate fauna in Horton plains and Yala national parks of Sri Lanka: some implications for conservation and management

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toad Adenomus kandianus: a long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

Oryx

journal-article

Natural history and conservation of haly's tree skink (Dasia haliana) in dry zone forests of Sri Lanka

Herpetological Conservation and Biology

journal-article

Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toad Adenomus kandianus: a long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

Oryx

journal-article

Natural history and conservation of haly’s tree skink (Dasia haliana) in dry zone forests of Sri Lanka

Herpetological Conservation and Biology

journal-article

Avifaunal diversity in the peripheral areas of the Maduruoya National Park in Sri Lanka: With conservation and management implications

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity

journal-article

Avifaunal diversity in the peripheral areas of the Maduruoya National Park in Sri Lanka: With conservation and management implications

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity

journal-article

Avifaunal diversity in the peripheral areas of the Maduruoya National Park in Sri Lanka: With conservation and management implications

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity

journal-article

Importance of Riparian Forest Buffers in Conservation of Stream Biodiversity: Responses to Land Uses by Stream-Associated Salamanders across Two Southeastern Temperate Ecoregions

Journal of Herpetology

journal-article

Importance of riparian forest buffers in conservation of stream biodiversity: Responses to land uses by stream-associated salamanders across two southeastern temperate ecoregions

Journal of Herpetology

journal-article

Importance of Riparian Forest Buffers in Conservation of Stream Biodiversity: Responses to Land Uses by Stream-Associated Salamanders across Two Southeastern Temperate Ecoregions

Journal of Herpetology

journal-article

Dietary habits of Varanus salvator salvator in Sri Lanka with a new record of predation on an introduced clown knifefish, Chitala ornata

Herpetological Bulletin

journal-article

Dietary habits of Varanus salvator salvator in Sri Lanka with a new record of predation on an introduced clown knifefish, Chitala ornata

Herpetological Bulletin

journal-article

Ghost of land-use past in the context of current land cover: Evidence from salamander communities in streams of Blue Ridge and Piedmont ecoregions

Canadian Journal of Zoology

journal-article

Using Collaboration Between English and Biology to Teach Scientific Writing and Communication

Journal of College Science Teaching

journal-article

Using Collaboration Between English and Biology to Teach Scientific Writing and Communication

Journal of College Science Teaching

journal-article

Ghost of land-use past in the context of current land cover: Evidence from salamander communities in streams of Blue Ridge and Piedmont ecoregions

Canadian Journal of Zoology

journal-article

Morphology and allometry suggest multiple origins of rostral appendages in Sri Lankan agamid lizards

Journal of Zoology

journal-article

Morphology and allometry suggest multiple origins of rostral appendages in Sri Lankan agamid lizards

Journal of Zoology

journal-article

Use of threat-analysis to assess the effects of land development on biodiversity in a Blue Ridge-Piedmont landscape

Journal of Conservation Planning

journal-article

Using eBird to integrate citizen science into an undergraduate ecology field laboratory

Bioscene

journal-article

Using eBird to integrate citizen science into an undergraduate ecology field laboratory

Bioscene

journal-article

Major issues in threat analysis and resolving such problems: an addendum to the GAP analysis.

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

The Effects of Climate Change on Global Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems

TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity

journal-article

General Ecology and Habitat Selectivity of Fresh Water Fishes of the Rawan Oya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sabaragamuwa University Journal

journal-article

The Effects of Climate Change on Global Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems

TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity

journal-article

General Ecology and Habitat Selectivity of Fresh Water Fishes of the Rawan Oya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sabaragamuwa University Journal

journal-article

Birds of Sabaragamuwa University campus, Buttala, Sri Lanka

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Birds of Sabaragamuwa University campus, Buttala, Sri Lanka

Journal of Threatened Taxa

journal-article

Diversity, Threats and Conservation of Herpetofauna in and around the Eastern Sinharaja

Sabaragamuwa University Journal

journal-article

Diversity, Threats and Conservation of Herpetofauna in and around the Eastern Sinharaja

Sabaragamuwa University Journal

journal-article

THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON GLOBAL WILDLIFE AND TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

Taprobanica

journal-article

Conservation and distribution status of amphibian fauna in sri lanka

Biodiversity

journal-article

Conservation and distribution status of amphibian fauna in Sri Lanka

Biodiversity

journal-article

Conservation and distribution status of amphibian fauna in Sri Lanka

Biodiversity

journal-article

Conservation and distribution status of amphibian fauna in Sri Lanka

Biodiversity

journal-article

Conservation overview of herpetofauna of Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve of Sri Lanka

Zoos’ Print Journal

journal-article

Conservation overview of herpetofauna of Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve of Sri Lanka

Zoos' Print Journal

journal-article

Conservation overview of herpetofauna of Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve of Sri Lanka

Zoos' Print Journal

journal-article

Conservation overview of herpetofauna of Sinharaja Man and Biosphere Reserve of Sri Lanka

Zoos Print Journal

journal-article