Brett A Patton
Brett is an Ecologist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
My research interests are in the vegetation and hydrological effects on bird use, particularly in estuarine wetland and barrier island habitats. I currently lead the USGS field data collection efforts for the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS). I also lend support on numerous research projects including studies focused on wetland plant productivity, organic matter decomposition, carbon storage, ecohydrology, and restoration and climate change impacts on waterbird and shorebird species.
EDUCATION
M.S., Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, 2016—Thesis: Living on the edge: An assessment of the Habitat Use of Waterbirds in Estuarine Wetlands of Barataria Basin, LA
B.S., Biology, William Carey University, 2007
Science and Products
Vertical Control of Rod Surface Elevation Table (RSET) Benchmarks to Assess Implications of Sea-Level Rise within Texas Coastal Refuges
The USGS will establish Rod Surface Elevation Tables at five National Wildlife Refuges on the Texas coast. This work will support climate adaptation and resilience planning by identifying areas susceptible to loss and degradation due to sea-level rise and extreme climatic events along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Salinity, Flooding, and Urban Impacts to Critical Habitat of the Endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker
USGS researchers will collect data on salinity, water level, and flooding duration within Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge to improve the understanding of the hydrologic system, and how hydrology drives available red-cockaded woodpecker habitat use and availability across the landscape.
Investigation of Hydrology and Inundation of the Turtle Bayou Mitigation Area within Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
USGS will monitor hydrologic and marsh conditions at the Turtle Bayou mitigation area. This effort will help provide a long-term water level dataset for Turtle Bayou.
Surface Elevation and Accretion Monitoring for the Maurepas Swamp Alternative-2 Mitigation Project
USGS will install and maintain up to six rod surface-elevation table (RSET) rods and paired accretion monitoring stations at the location of the Maurepas Swamp Alternative-2 Mitigation Project.
Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Project: Large-scale Marsh Creation – Upper Barataria Component
USGS will provide support to the Large-scale Marsh Creation – Upper Barataria Component Project by monitoring change in the area of land and water, and recovery of vegetation and elevation over time.
Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP)
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest...
Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) - Adaptive Management and Monitoring Planning and Implementation
The Mississippi barrier islands are dynamic coastal landforms that are the first line of defense between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi mainland coast. These islands are experiencing changes in structure (land area and habitat) and geomorphic processes (erosion and accretion) due to frequent intense storms, relative rise in sea level, and changes in sediment supply. A long-term monitoring...
Science and Products
Vertical Control of Rod Surface Elevation Table (RSET) Benchmarks to Assess Implications of Sea-Level Rise within Texas Coastal Refuges
The USGS will establish Rod Surface Elevation Tables at five National Wildlife Refuges on the Texas coast. This work will support climate adaptation and resilience planning by identifying areas susceptible to loss and degradation due to sea-level rise and extreme climatic events along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Salinity, Flooding, and Urban Impacts to Critical Habitat of the Endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker
USGS researchers will collect data on salinity, water level, and flooding duration within Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge to improve the understanding of the hydrologic system, and how hydrology drives available red-cockaded woodpecker habitat use and availability across the landscape.
Investigation of Hydrology and Inundation of the Turtle Bayou Mitigation Area within Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
USGS will monitor hydrologic and marsh conditions at the Turtle Bayou mitigation area. This effort will help provide a long-term water level dataset for Turtle Bayou.
Surface Elevation and Accretion Monitoring for the Maurepas Swamp Alternative-2 Mitigation Project
USGS will install and maintain up to six rod surface-elevation table (RSET) rods and paired accretion monitoring stations at the location of the Maurepas Swamp Alternative-2 Mitigation Project.
Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Project: Large-scale Marsh Creation – Upper Barataria Component
USGS will provide support to the Large-scale Marsh Creation – Upper Barataria Component Project by monitoring change in the area of land and water, and recovery of vegetation and elevation over time.
Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP)
In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest...
Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) - Adaptive Management and Monitoring Planning and Implementation
The Mississippi barrier islands are dynamic coastal landforms that are the first line of defense between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi mainland coast. These islands are experiencing changes in structure (land area and habitat) and geomorphic processes (erosion and accretion) due to frequent intense storms, relative rise in sea level, and changes in sediment supply. A long-term monitoring...