Roel Lopez
Director
roel@tamu.edu (210) 560-3209 Curriculum VitaeAs director for the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Dr. Roel Lopez provides leadership in the field of wildlife ecology and natural resource management. Roel works with internal and external stakeholders in developing institute priorities for research and extension programs and leads interdisciplinary teams to address these natural resource challenges. His research focuses on endangered and fragmented wildlife populations, the sustainability of military lands, and rural land trends and demographics.
Before joining the institute in 2009, Roel was a professor in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, now renamed the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. He continues to teach in a split academic appointment, and as of September 2021, he serves as department head leading the next generation of field experts, lifelong learners and professionals who will work at the nexus of research and outreach in rangeland grazing, land stewardship, aquaculture and wildlife management.
Roel received his Bachelor of Science in forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University, and his master’s degree and doctorate in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
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Enabling endangered species conservation on private land: A case study of the ocelot in Texas
May 2025
Martinez, L.A., T.A. Campbell, and R.R. Lopez. 2025. Enabling endangered species conservation on private land: A case study of the ocelot in Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin 49:e1594.
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Water gaps and standard fencing facilitate white-tailed deer movement
Mar 2025
Stewart, D.G., J.T. Beaver, M.L. Cooksey, C. Grantham, B.L. Pierce, R.R. Lopez, and S.L. Webb. 2025. Water gaps and standard fencing facilitate white-tailed deer movement across high fences while maintaining property fidelity. The Southwestern Naturalist 69(2).
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Importance of private lands in ESA implementation: 50 years of reflection and conservation
Mar 2025
Daily, T. S., C. E. Dannenfelser, M. M. Granger, E. Guest, O. A. Kost, S. D. McCay, B. R. L. Olsen, M. P. Riggs, A. Smith, M. E. Marshall, L. A. Martinez, and R. R. Lopez. 2025. Importance of private lands in ESA implementation: 50 years of reflection and conservation. Wildlife Society Bulletin e1597. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1597
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A conceptual framework to inform conservation status assessments of non-charismatic species
Nov 2024
de Moulpied, M., A.H. Kiser, C.R. Robertson, R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2024. A conceptual framework to inform conservation status assessments of non-charismatic species. Journal of Environmental Management 372:123423.
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Long live the cat: Ocelot population viability in a planned reintroduced population in Texas, USA
Nov 2024
Martinez, L.A., J.V. Lombardi, I.D. Parker, F. East, T.A. Campbell, and R.R. Lopez. 2024. Long live the cat: Ocelot population viability in a planned reintroduced population in Texas, USA. Ecosphere 15:e70044.
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Evaluation of survivorship and annulus validation in calcein-stained freshwater unionid mussels
Sep 2024
Eismont, A.L., M. deMoulpied, C.R. Robertson, R.R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2024. Evaluation of survivorship and annulus validation in calcein-stained freshwater unionid mussels. Scientific Reports 14:20659.
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Growth and longevity of two imperilled mussel species from the Edwards Plateau of Central Texas and its implications for freshwater mussel conservation and management
Aug 2024
de Moulpied, M., C.R. Robertson, R. Smith, M. Johnson, A.M. Wootten, E. Martin, R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2024. Growth and longevity of two imperilled mussel species from the Edwards Plateau of Central Texas and its implications for freshwater mussel conservation and management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 34:e4224.
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Assessing hurricane impact on vegetation and endangered deer habitat using airborne lidar and multispectral images
May 2024
Kim, J., S.C. Popescu, R.R. Lopez, X.B. Wu, and N.J. Silvy. 2024. Assessing hurricane impact on vegetation and endangered deer habitat using airborne lidar and multispectral images. Global Ecology and Conservation 53:e03007.
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Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America—Chapter 2: Furbearer Management in Mexico
Apr 2024
Lopez, R. R., R. Valdez, C. González-Rebeles Islas, E. R. Martínez-Lopez, and A. E. Montalvo. 2024. Furbearer management in Mexico. Pages 2.1–2.18 in T. L. Hiller, R. D. Applegate, R. D. Bluett, S. N. Frey, E. M. Gese, and J. F. Organ, editors. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. Wildlife Ecology Institute, Helena, Montana, USA. https://doi.org/10.59438/RVTM1942
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Assessing ecological and socio-political factors in site selection for ocelot reintroduction in Texas
Mar 2024
Martinez, L. A., J. V. Lombardi, G. Powers, A. D. Anderson, T. Campbell, & R. R. Lopez. 2024. Assessing ecological and socio-political factors in site selection for ocelot reintroduction in Texas. Conservation Science and Practice, e13113. https:// doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13113
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Creating a systematic prioritization of stream reaches for conservation of aquatic species
Feb 2024
Kiser, A.H., C.A. Craig, T.H. Bonner, B. Littrell, C.H. Smith, C.R. Robertson, H. Wang, W.E. Grant, M.S. Johnson, R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2024. Creating a systematic prioritization of stream reaches for conservation of aquatic species. Ecosphere 15:e4772.
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Suitability of containerized toxicant to control Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) threatening cave species in Bexar County, Texas
Jan 2024
Kramm, M.M., J.R. Lampman, D. Jackson, A.E. Montalvo, and R.R. Lopez. 2024. Suitability of containerized toxicant to control Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) threatening cave species in Bexar County, Texas. Environmental Entomology, 1-5.
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Camera-trap Basking Arrays Detect Western Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) in Dynamic Ephemeral Wetland Mosaics
Dec 2023
Bowers, B.C., C.M. Fielder, D.K. Walkup, R.R. Lopez, W.A. Ryberg, T.J. Hibbitts, M.R. Parker, and P.S. Crump. 2023. Camera-trap Basking Arrays Detect Western Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria) in Dynamic Ephemeral Wetland Mosaics. Herpetological Review 54, 368-372.
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Thermal tolerance exceedances of an endangered unionid mussel in the Rio Grande Basin, with implications for river management
Nov 2023
Rangaswami, X.L., A.H. Kiser, M. Ramey, J.A. Stoeckel, D.J. Berg, R.R. Lopez, C.R. Randklev. 2023. Thermal tolerance exceedances of an endangered unionid mussel in the Rio Grande Basin, with implications for river management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 33, 1431-1444.
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The effectiveness of an unmanned aerial vehicle in controlled fecal pellet surveys
Aug 2023
Parker, I.D., A.N. Facka, A.E. Montalvo, I.T. Gates, B.L. Pierce, and R.R. Lopez. 2023. The effectiveness of an unmanned aerial vehicle in controlled fecal pellet surveys. Western Wildlife 10:25-33.
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Survival, Movement, and Habitat Use of Translocated Northern Bobwhite in Texas
Dec 2022
Cagigal P.R., N.J. Silvy, B.L. Pierce and T.A. Catanach. 2022. Survival, Movement, and Habitat Use of Translocated Northern Bobwhite in Texas. National Quail Symposium Proceedings 9:107–114.
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Use of live streaming systems in field-based learning
Oct 2022
McCay, S. D., R. R. Lopez, A. C. Sansom, C. M. Farrell, J. M. Holmes, A. Lopez, and J. C. Cathey. 2022. Use of live streaming systems in field‐based learning. Wildlife Society Bulletin e1381, https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1381.
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Assessing Traffic Threats for Amphibian and Reptile Species of Greatest Conservation Need on Texas Roadways: Final Report
Oct 2022
Walkup, D.K., K.L. Skow, T.J. Hibbitts, W.A. Ryberg, and R.R. Lopez. 2022. Assessing Traffic Threats for Amphibian and Reptile Species of Greatest Conservation Need on Texas Roadways. Final Research Report submitted to Texas Department of Transportation. 620 pp.
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Effectiveness, economics, and safety of drop nets and helicopters with net-gunning for capturing white-tailed deer
Sep 2022
Beaver, J.T., C. Grantham, M.L. Cooksey, K. Skow, B.L. Pierce, and R.R. Lopez. 2022. Effectiveness, economics, and safety of drop nets and helicopters with net-gunning for capturing white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1365.
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Using LiDAR to Enhance Distribution Models for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) in Texas, USA
Aug 2022
Walkup, D.K., W.A. Ryberg, R.J. Hibbetts, K.L. Skow, G. Powers, L.A. Fitzgerald, B.A. Collier, and R.R. Lopez. 2022. Using LiDAR to enhance distribution models for the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) in Texas, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 17, 349-361.
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A Camera-trap Survey Targeting Herpetofauna at Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida
Jul 2022
Silvy, N.J., R.R. Lopez, C.N. Lopez, J.A. Uzquiano, P.A. Frank, and W. Wheatly-Techmer. 2022. A camera-trap survey targeting herpetofauna at Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida. Southeastern Naturalist, 21, 175-186.
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Mark-resight methodology for estimating key deer abundance assisted by citizen scientists
Jun 2022
Silvy, N.J., R.R. Lopez, C.N. Lopez, T. Breen, A. Lopez, A.E. Montalvo, I.D. Parker, and B. Powell. 2022. Mark-resight methodology for estimating key deer abundance assisted by citizen scientists. Wildlife Society Bulletin, e1298.
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Biogeography of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in Texas and implications on conservation biology
May 2022
de Moulpied, M., C.H. Smith, C.R. Robertson, N.A. Johnson, R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2022. Biogeography of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in Texas and implications on conservation biology. Diversity and Distributions, 00, 1-17.
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Using a multi-model ensemble approach to determine biodiversity hotspots with limited occurrence data in understudied areas: An example using freshwater mussels in Mexico
Apr 2022
Kiser, A.H., K.S. Cummings, J.S. Tiemann, C.H. Smith, N.A. Johnson, R.R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2022. Using a multi-model ensemble approach to determine biodiversity hotspots with limited occurrence data in understudied areas: An example using freshwater mussels in Mexico. Ecology and Evolution, 12, e8909.
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The effect of flow and mussel species traits on the occurrence of rare mussels: A case study within selected rivers of the West Gulf Coastal Plain
Jan 2022
Kiser, A.H., J.M. Khan, C.R. Robertson, R. Lopez, and C.R. Randklev. 2022. The effect of flow and mussel species traits on the occurrence of rare mussels: A case study within selected rivers of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 32, 98-111.
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Using upper thermal limits of Lampsilis bracteata (Texas fatmucket) from the North Llano and San Saba rivers, Texas to inform water management practices in the Edwards Plateau
Jan 2022
, J.M. , C.R. 2022. Using upper thermal limits of Lampsilis bracteata (Texas fatmucket) from the North Llano and San Saba rivers, Texas to inform water management practices in the Edwards Plateau. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 32, 85–97.
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Effective Camera Trap Snake Surveys at a Rarely Accessible Longleaf Pine Savanna
Dec 2021
Ryberg, W.A., D.K. Walkup, T.J. Hibbitts, W. Pittman, V.H. Porter, B.C. Bowers, C.M. Fielder, P. Brown, R.R. Lopez, J.R. Preston, J.T. Johnson, B.W. Hagedorn. 2021. Effective camera trap snake surveys at a rarely accessible longleaf pine savanna. Herpetological Review, 52, 719-724.
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Should I Stay or Should I Go? Spatial Ecology of Western Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria)
Dec 2021
Bowers, B.C., D.K. Walkup, T.J. Hibbitts, P.S. Crump, W.A. Ryberg, A.M. Lawing, R.R. Lopez. 2021. Should I stay or should I go? Spatial ecology of western chicken turtles (Deirochelys reticularia miaria). Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 16, 594-611.
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Notes on Western Chicken Turtle Disking and Predation
Dec 2021
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Home Range and Habitat Selection of Cave-Dwelling North American Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in Central Texas
May 2021
Montalvo, A.E., R.R. Lopez, I.D. Parker, N.J. Silvy, S.M. Cooper, and R.A. Feagin. 2021. Home range and habitat selection of cave-dwelling North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in Central Texas. The Texas Journal of Science, 73, Article 4.
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Temporal movement patterns predict Florida Key deer-vehicle collisions on Big Pine Key, Florida
Nov 2020
Braden, A.W., I.D. Parker, R.R. Lopez, and N.J. Silvy. 2020. Temporal Movement Patterns Predict Collisions between Female Florida Key Deer and Vehicles on Big Pine Key, Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 19: 709-716.
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Florida Key Deer Presence on Outer Islands Following New World Screwworm and Hurricane Irma
May 2020
Parker, I.D., J. Parker, A.E. Montalvo, R.R. Lopez, N.J. Silvy, A.A. Lund, E. Barham, D.S. Finn and M. Crawford. 2020. Florida Key Deer Presence on Outer Islands Following New World Screwworm and Hurricane Irma. Southeastern Naturalist 19.
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Florida Key Deer Abundance and Recovery Following New World Screwworm Infestation
Apr 2020
Parker, I.D., R.R. Lopez, N.J. Silvy, B.L. Pierce, K.G. Watts, E.P. Myers, S.E.J. Gibbs, D.S. Davis, J.T. Beaver, A.A. Lund. 2020. Florida Key Deer Abundance and Recovery Following New World Screwworm Infestation. Southeastern Naturalist. 19(2):179–191.
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Modeling meso-mammal cave use in Central Texas
Jan 2020
Montalvo, A. E., R. R. Lopez, I. D. Parker, N. J. Silvy, S. M. Cooper, R. A. Feagin. 2020. Modeling meso-mammal cave use in central Texas. Southwestern Naturalist 64:43–52.
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Reproductive life history of 2 imperiled and 1 widely- distributed freshwater mussel species from the southwestern United States
Jan 2020
Dudding, J.F., M. Hart, J.M. Khan, C.R. Robertson, R.R. Lopez, C.R. Randklev. 2020. Reproductive life history of 2 imperiled and 1 widely- distributed freshwater mussel species from the southwestern United States. Freshwater Science. 10.1086/707774.
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Immunochromatographic Antibody Screening for Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in South Texas Meso‐Mammals
Nov 2019
Kramm III, M., A.E. Montalvo, I.D. Parker, R.R. Lopez, R. Gorchakov, M.S. Nolan. 2019. Immunochromatographic Antibody Screening for Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in South Texas Meso‐Mammals. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 10.1002/wsb.1030.
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Trypanosoma cruzi in free-ranging mammalian populations in South Texas
Feb 2017
Research Reports
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Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program: 2024 evaluation report
Sep 2024
Lund, A.A., L.A. Smith, R.R. Lopez. 2024. Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program: 2024 evaluation report. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Research Report Number 2024-1. College Station, Texas, USA.
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Quantifying Holistic Benefits of Native Vegetation Restoration
Mar 2024
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Economic Values of White-tailed Deer in Texas: Part II
Dec 2023
Texas A&M University Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. 2023. Economic values of white-tailed deer in Texas: 2022 Survey-Part II. College Station. TX.
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Economic Values of White-tailed Deer in Texas: Part I
May 2023
Texas A&M University Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. 2023. Economic values of white-tailed deer in Texas: 2022 Survey - Part I. College Station, TX.
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Texas Landowner Survey
Apr 2023
Lopez, A., D. Barrientos, R. Lopez, K. L. Skow, M. Crawford, J. Dreibelbis, K. B. Hays, and B. N. Wegner. 2023. Texas Landowner Survey. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.
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Rangeland Carbon Markets Report
Mar 2023
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Texas Water Trends
Feb 2023
Lopez, A., R. Lopez, M. Crawford, A. Smith, D. Barrientos, B. Wegner, O. Muñoz, A. Roberts, V. Puig-Williams, and D. Mueller. (2023). Texas water trends. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, College Station, Texas, USA.
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Conserving Texas: Quantifying Ecological Return on Investment
Jan 2023
Smith, L.A., A.A. Lund, R.R. Lopez. 2023. Conserving Texas: Quantifying Ecological Return on Investment. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Research Report Number 2023-1. College Station, Texas, USA.
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Water and Equity in the Texas Hill Country
Jul 2022
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Hazardous Species Identification, Attractants, and Mitigations at the Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX
Apr 2022
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Participation Equals Conservation: Why diversity matters in sustaining our natural resources
May 2021
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Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program: 2020 Evaluation
Nov 2020
Lund, A.A., G.W. Powers, R.R. Lopez, L.A. Smith, L.M. Olson, and L.F. Gregory. 2020. Texas farm and ranch lands conservation program: 2020 Evaluation report. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Research Report Number 2020-1. College Station, Texas, USA.
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Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands 1997 - 2017
Dec 2019
Smith, L.A., R.R. Lopez, A.A. Lund, B.N. Wegner, J.C. Cathey, A. Lopez, R.E. Anderson, G.W. Powers, K.L. Skow, M.A. Crawford. 2019. Status Update and Trends of Texas Working Lands. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), College Station, TX, USA.
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West Texas Landowner Report: Energy and Growth Trends
Dec 2019
Lopez, A., R. Lopez, K. Skow, and M. Crawford. 2019. West Texas Landowner Report: Energy and Growth Trends. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, College Station, TX, USA.
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Trends in Land Ownership Along Texas Borderlands
Jun 2019
Lopez, A., A.A. Lund, M.A. Crawford, L.A. Smith, K.L. Skow, J.G. Cross, L.A. Harveson and R.R. Lopez. 2019. Trends in Land Ownership Along Texas Borderlands. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. College Station, TX, USA.
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Conservation Easements in Texas
Jan 2019
Lund, A.A., L.A. Smith, A. Lopez, R.R. Lopez and J.H. Leibowitz. 2019. Conservation Easements in Texas. Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. College Station, TX, USA.
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Chagas Disease in Mammals on Joint Base Lackland Training Annex and Camp Bullis Military Training Reservation, San Antonio, Texas
Mar 2017
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Chagas Disease in Free-Ranging Wildlife Populations in South Texas
Jul 2016
Kramm, M.M., R.R. Lopez, M.D. Gutierrez, T. Luepke, S.M. Cooper, D.S. Davis, and I.D. Parker. 2016. Chagas Disease in Free-Ranging Wildlife Populations in South Texas. College Station (Texas): Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. Available at: http://irnr.tamu.edu/publications/research-reports/.