Chelsea Shannon Kross

Chelsea Shannon Kross is an Affiliate researcher at the Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, conducting ecological field studies in prairies and wetlands across Illinois and Arkansas.

Her research focuses on:

• Herpetology: Investigating thermal ecology and habitat use of box turtles and amphibians in restored prairies
• Conservation: Analyzing legacy land-use impacts on species occupancy and prescribed fire efficacy
• Ecosystem Management: Linking atmospheric conditions to successful burn operations in Gulf Coast regions

Recent publications reveal an integrated approach to conservation ecology, combining field data on species responses with landscape-scale modeling to address habitat degradation. Her work prioritizes practical applications for prairie and wetland restoration amid climate change pressures.