Beth A Middleton, Ph. D.
Beth Middleton is a Research Ecologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Wetland function may be altered in the future because of dynamic shifts in droughts, water extraction, water fluctuation, salinity intrusion, CO2 levels, and storm intensity. Populations of species can be extirpated especially by drought, and tree mortality is especially common at the edges of species diestribution ranges during drought. Beth Middleton examines patterns of ecosystem function along latitudinal gradients in baldcypress swamps, monsoonal wetlands, mangrove swamps, northern peatleands, prairie fens, and floodplain wetlands. She has organized symposia, written three books, and edited three special journal volumes, which support multidisciplinary comparisons and research analysis of wetland function. Other research topics include the effects of hurricanes on coastal wetlands, flood pulsing in restoration, and biodiversity loss in fens of Europe, Asia and North America. Middleton maintains a research network of baldcypress swamps (North American Baldcypress Swamp Network) and invites other researchers to work in these study sites dedicated to the study of long term function of swamps in the southeastern US.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Botany, Iowa State University, 1989
Advisors: van der Valk/DavisM.S., University of Minnesota Duluth, 1983
B.S., University of Wisconsin Madison, 1978
Science and Products
Functional integrity of freshwater forested wetlands, hydrologic alteration, and climate change
Responses to water depth and clipping of twenty−three plant species in an Indian monsoonal wetland
Hydrologic remediation for the Deepwater Horizon incident drove ancillary primary production increase in coastal swamps
Core-satellite species hypothesis and native versus exotic species in secondary succession
Decomposition
Foreword: function, classification and management of Asian wetlands
Restoration potential of sedge meadows in hand-cultivated soybean fields in northeastern China
Dendrometer bands made easy: using modified cable ties to measure incremental growth of trees
Rediscovering traditional vegetation management in preserves: trading experiences between cultures and continents
Use of sediment amendments to rehabilitate sinking coastal swamp forests in Louisiana
Conservation in an age of climate change
Unique challenges facing Southwestern tribes: Chapter 17
Non-USGS Publications**
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00099.x/abstract
www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2559700.pdf OR www.journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5248088
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Functional integrity of freshwater forested wetlands, hydrologic alteration, and climate change
Climate change will challenge managers to balance the freshwater needs of humans and wetlands. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that most regions of the world will be exposed to higher temperatures, CO2, and more erratic precipitation, with some regions likely to have alternating episodes of intense flooding and mega-drought. Coastal areas will be exposed to more frequent salAuthorsBeth A. Middleton, Nicholas J. SouterResponses to water depth and clipping of twenty−three plant species in an Indian monsoonal wetland
Responses of species to disturbances give insights into how species might respond to future wetland changes. In this study, species of monsoonal wetlands belonging to various functional types (graminoid and non−graminoid emergents, submersed aquatic, floating−leaved aquatic) varied in their growth responses to water depth and harvesting. We tested the effects of water depth (moist soil, flooded) aAuthorsBeth A. Middleton, Arnold van der Valk, Craig B. DavisHydrologic remediation for the Deepwater Horizon incident drove ancillary primary production increase in coastal swamps
As coastal wetlands subside worldwide, there is an urgency to understand the hydrologic drivers and dynamics of plant production and peat accretion. One incidental test of the effects of high rates of discharge on forested wetland production occurred in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident, in which all diversions in Louisiana were operated at or near their maximum discharge level for aAuthorsBeth A. Middleton, Darren Johnson, Brian J RobertsCore-satellite species hypothesis and native versus exotic species in secondary succession
A number of hypotheses exist to explain species’ distributions in a landscape, but these hypotheses are not frequently utilized to explain the differences in native and exotic species distributions. The core-satellite species (CSS) hypothesis predicts species occupancy will be bimodally distributed, i.e., many species will be common and many species will be rare, but does not explicitly consider eAuthorsKelsey A. Martinez, David J. Gibson, Beth A. MiddletonDecomposition
A cornerstone of ecosystem ecology, decomposition was recognized as a fundamental process driving the exchange of energy in ecosystems by early ecologists such as Lindeman 1942 and Odum 1960). In the history of ecology, studies of decomposition were incorporated into the International Biological Program in the 1960s to compare the nature of organic matter breakdown in various ecosystem types. SuchAuthorsBeth A. MiddletonForeword: function, classification and management of Asian wetlands
Asian wetland conservation is critical for future environmental protection in the region, but these wetlands are understudied. In particular, there is a lack of research studies published in English due to the limited access of Asian researchers to western scientific journals. This special feature of Wetlands showcases primary research conducted in Asian wetlands and was sponsored by various agencAuthorsD. Phil Turnipseed, Beth A. MiddletonRestoration potential of sedge meadows in hand-cultivated soybean fields in northeastern China
Sedge meadows can be difficult to restore from farmed fields if key structural dominants are missing from propagule banks. In hand-cultivated soybean fields in northeastern China, we asked if tussock-forming Carex and other wetland species were present as seed or asexual propagules. In the Sanjiang Plain, China, we compared the seed banks, vegetative propagules (below-ground) and standing vegetatiAuthorsGuodong Wang, Beth Middleton, Ming JiangDendrometer bands made easy: using modified cable ties to measure incremental growth of trees
Dendrometer bands are a useful way to make sequential repeated measurements of tree growth, but traditional dendrometer bands can be expensive, time consuming, and difficult to construct in the field. An alternative to the traditional method of band construction is to adapt commercially available materials. This paper describes how to construct and install dendrometer bands using smooth-edged, staAuthorsEvelyn R. Anemaet, Beth A. MiddletonRediscovering traditional vegetation management in preserves: trading experiences between cultures and continents
Land managers are grappling with massive changes in vegetation structure, particularly in protected areas formerly subjected to fire and grazing. The objective of this review was to compare notes on the historical and current management of ecosystems around the world (especially in wet to dry grasslands in the Americas, Australia, Africa, Europe and Asia) with respect to the usage of fire, grazingAuthorsBeth A. MiddletonUse of sediment amendments to rehabilitate sinking coastal swamp forests in Louisiana
Coastal wetlands are losing elevation worldwide, so that techniques to increase elevation such as sediment amendment might benefit these wetlands. This study examined the potential of sediment amendment to raise elevation and support the production and regeneration of vegetation in coastal forests in Louisiana. Before sediment amendment, the vegetation did not differ in these Taxodium distichum–NyAuthorsBeth A. Middleton, Ming JiangConservation in an age of climate change
Are you a gardener? Then you know that certain species and varieties of species grow best in certain growing zones related to climate. This growing zone concept also applies to species in natural ecosystems. One threat of climate change to wetland biodiversity is that some species may be losing the ability to track an appropriate season for flowering, seed production and growth, impairing their abAuthorsBeth MiddletonUnique challenges facing Southwestern tribes: Chapter 17
Executive Summary When considering climate change, risks to Native American lands, people, and cultures are noteworthy. Impacts on Native lands and communities are anticipated to be both early and severe due to their location in marginal environments. Because Native American societies are socially, culturally, and politically unique, conventional climate change adaptation planning and related poliAuthorsMargaret Hiza, Karletta Chief, Kirk Bemis, Mahesh Gautam, Beth Rose Middleton, Rebecca TsosieNon-USGS Publications**
Middleton, B.A. 2002. Nonequilibrium dynamics of sedge meadows grazed by cattle in southern Wisconsin. Plant Ecology 161:89-110. www.springerlink.com/content/v0l42625k0g21141/Xiao, N., D.A. Bennett, B. Middleton, and K. Fessel. 2002. SISM: a multiscale model cypress swamp regeneration. Geographical & Environmental Modelling 6:99-116. www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13615930220127314Middleton, B.A. 2002. Winter burning and the reduction of Cornus sericea in sedge meadows in southern Wisconsin. Restoration Ecology 10:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-100X.2002.01053.xMiddleton, B.A. 2001. A case for wetland restoration. Book review. Restoration Ecology 9:247-248. www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118995575/PDFSTARTSpyreas, G., D.J. Gibson, and B.A. Middleton. 2001. Effects of endophyte infection in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea: Poaceae) on community diversity. International Journal of Plant Science 162:1237-1245. www.plantbiology.siu.edu/faculty/Gibson/IJPS2001.pdfMiddleton, B.A. 2000. Hydrochory, seed banks, and regeneration dynamics across landscape boundaries in a forested wetland. Plant Ecology 146:169-184. www.springerlink.com/content/w28pp67819819074/Gibson, D. J., B.A. Middleton, G.W. Saunders, M. Mathis. W.T Weaver, J. Neely, J. Rivera and M. Oyler. 1999. Learning by doing ecology: long term field experiments in ecology. IF0.3/C12 American Biology Teacher 61:217-222. www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4450654?uid=3739688&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=55902219473Rice, M., B.A. Middleton and D. Gibson. 1999. Fractal analysis of movement pathways in vegetated and unvegetated microlandscapes. Bios 1:176-184. _/C2. www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4608479?uid=3739688&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=55902222123Oyler, M., J. Rivera, M. Roffel, D. J. Gibson, B.A. Middleton and M. Mathis. 1999. The macaroni lab: a directed inquiry project on predator-prey relationships. American Biology Teacher 40:39-41. IF0.3/C1 www.plantbiology.siu.edu/faculty/gibson/macaron.pdfMiddleton, B.A. 1999. Flood pulsing in restoration: a feasible alternative for India? Journal of the Ecological Society 12:10-14.Mathis, M. and B.A. Middleton. 1999. Simulated herbivory and vegetation dynamics in coal slurry ponds reclaimed as wetlands. Restoration Ecology 7:392-398. IF2.2/C10 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1526-100X.1999.72034.x/abstractMiddleton, B.A. 1998. Succession and herbivory in monsoonal wetlands. Wetland Ecology and Management 6:189-202. IF0.3/C32 www.springerlink.com/content/r30811h62j6741u5/Middleton, B.A. 1998. The water buffalo controversy in the Keoladeo National Park, India. Ecological Modelling 106:93-95. IF2.7/C9 http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2218674Middleton, B.A. 1998. Reply to: The water buffalo controversy in the Keoladeo National Park, India. Ecological Modelling 106:95-98. IF2.7/C9 http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2218674Middleton, B.A., E. Sanchez-Rojas, B. Suedmeyer and A. Michels. 1997. Fire in a tropical dry forest of Central America: A natural part of the disturbance regime? Biotropica 29:515-517. IF2.6/C47 www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2388944?uid=3739688&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=55901Akanil, N. and B.A. Middleton. 1997. Leaf litter decomposition along the Porsuk River, Eskisehir, Turkey. Canadian Journal of Botany 75:1394-1397. www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b97-853 OR www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b97-853Middleton, B.A. 1995. Ecology of greenways. Book review. Restoration Ecology 3: 319-322.Middleton, B.A. 1995. Seed banks and species richness potential of coal slurry ponds reclaimed as wetlands. Restoration Ecology 3:311-318.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1526-100X.1995.tb00099.x/abstract
Middleton, B.A. and U. Melkania. 1995. Decomposition of wet grassland species in a stream of the Himalayan terai, Pantnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 21:163-168. www.nieindia.org/ijees/abstracts/v21/abstrv21_163.aspMiddleton, B.A. 1995. Sampling devices for the measurement of seed rain and hydrochory in rivers. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Club 122:152-155. www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/2996454?uid=3739688&uid=2&uid=4&uid=3739256&sid=55901569553Middleton, B.A. 1994. Decomposition and litter production in a northern bald cypress swamp. Journal of Vegetation Science 5:271-274. www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3236160.pdfMiddleton, B.A. and E. Sanchez. 1994. Microhistological analysis of food habits in the tropics. Vida Silvestre 3:41-47.Middleton, B.A. 1994. Management of monsoonal wetlands for Greylag and Barheaded Geese in the Keoladeo National Park, India. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 20:1263-171. www.nieindia.org/ijees/abstracts/v20/abstrv20_163.aspvan der Valk, A. G., B.A. Middleton, R. L. Williams, D. H. Mason and C. Davis. 1993. The biomass of an Indian monsoonal wetland before and after being overgrown with Paspalum distichum. Vegetatio 109:81-90. www.springerlink.com/content/w3866315p4450555/fulltext.pdfMiddleton, B. A. 1992. Habitat and food preferences of geese overwintering in the Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India. Journal of Tropical Ecology 8:181-193.
www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2559700.pdf OR www.journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5248088
Middleton, B.A., A.G. van der Valk, C.B. Davis, D.H. Mason, and R.L. Williams. 1992. Litter decomposition in an Indian monsoonal wetland overgrown with Paspalum distichum. Wetlands 12:37-44. www.springerlink.com/content/w3866315p4450555/Middleton, B.A. and D.H. Mason. 1992. Seed herbivory by nilgai, feral cattle, and wild boar in the Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India. Biotropica 24:538-543. www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2389017.pdfMiddleton, B.A., A.G. van der Valk, R.L. Williams, D.J. Mason, and C.B. Davis. 1991. Vegetation dynamics and seed banks of a monsoonal wetland overgrown with Paspalum distichum in northern India. Aquatic Botany 40:239-259. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0304377091900619Middleton, B.A. 1990. Effect of water depth and clipping frequency on the growth and survival of four wetland plant species. Aquatic Botany 37:189-196. www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/030437709090091XMiddleton, B.A.1988. Food habits of geese in northern India. Journal of the Ecological Society (India) 1:37-45.Middleton, B.A. and A.G. van der Valk. 1987. The food habits of Greylag and Barheaded Geese in the Keoladeo National Park, India. Wildfowl 38:94-102. /C122 http://wildfowl.wwt.org.uk/index.php/wildfowl/article/view/774/774Middleton, B.A. and D.J. Schimpf. 1986. Sand movement and vegetation in the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior. Canadian Journal of Botany 64:1671-1674. www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/b86-223**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.