Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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 hydrologic influences on wildlife habitat, particularly in estuarine wetland, barrier island, forested wetland, and pineland habitats. I use an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to advance ecological monitoring and research through multiple research and long-term monitoring projects in collaboration across science centers and organizations including the USACE, USFWS, LDWF, NOAA, CPRA, EPA, and NPS. Additionally, I provide science support and expertise for numerous ecological projects including wetland plant productivity and decomposition studies, ecohydrological studies, post-oil spill data collections, marsh organ projects, barrier island restoration projects, and other cooperative projects.

Professional Experience

  • Ecologist, 2010-present

    U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC), Baton Rouge, LA

     

  • Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Region Invasive Plant Biologist, 2009

    Invasive Plant Control, Inc., 2800 Columbine Place, Nashville, TN 37204

     

  • Field Biologist, 2007-2009

    National Park Service (NPS), Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), Ocean Springs, MS

     

  • Transportation Interpreter Intern, 2006-2007

    NPS/Student Conservation Association (SCA), Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), Ocean Springs, MS

     

  • Lead Trainer Technician, Education Coordinator, 2000-2005

    Marine Life Oceanarium/Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport MS

     

Education and Certifications

  • PhD Student in Geography, August 2021-present

    Louisiana State University

    Focus: Advancing wildlife and habitat management using remote sensing, citizen science, and longitudinal datasets

     

  • Master of Science in Renewable Natural Resources, August 2016

    Louisiana State University

    Thesis: As Assessment of the Habitat Use of Waterbirds in Estuarine Wetlands of  Barataria Bay, LA

     

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology, May 2007

    William Carey University, Hattiesburg MS

    Minor: Chemistry and Math

    Independent Research Thesis: “Territoriality of the Mimus polyglottos in a Suburban Community”

     

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • The Longleaf Alliance

  • The Waterbird Society

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15

Wetland elevation and soil characteristics across Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (2020-2021) Wetland elevation and soil characteristics across Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (2020-2021)

The recent completion of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) for New Orleans has effectively blocked surface water exchange between Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (BSNWR) and the surrounding Lake(s) Pontchartrain and Borgne and the Gulf of Mexico to which it was once connected. Monitoring changes in hydrology, water...
By
Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Developing bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019 Developing bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019

This U.S. Geological Survey data release includes bare-earth digital elevation models (DEMs) that were produced by removing elevation bias in vegetated areas from structure-from-motion (SfM) data products for two sites on Dauphin Island, Alabama. These data were collected in the late fall of 2018 and spring of 2019. In addition to the bare-earth DEMs, this data release also includes...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Barrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19 Barrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19

Vegetation and elevation survey data were collected in 4-square-meter quadrats via Real-Time Kinematic GPS from September 9, 2018 to April 17, 2019 on Dauphin Island, AL. Vegetation data included total percent herbaceous cover, percent cover by plant species, and mean height of vegetation within the quadrat. The percent cover by species was used to determine the dominant species for the...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.

Non-USGS Publications**

Patton, Brett Ashley, "Living on the Edge: An Assessment of the Habitat Use of Waterbirds in Estuarine Wetlands of Barataria Basin, LA" (2016). LSU Master's Theses. 1670. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/1670

**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

Filter Total Items: 15

Wetland elevation and soil characteristics across Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (2020-2021) Wetland elevation and soil characteristics across Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (2020-2021)

The recent completion of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) for New Orleans has effectively blocked surface water exchange between Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (BSNWR) and the surrounding Lake(s) Pontchartrain and Borgne and the Gulf of Mexico to which it was once connected. Monitoring changes in hydrology, water...
By
Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Developing bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019 Developing bare-earth digital elevation models from structure-from-motion data on barrier islands, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-2019

This U.S. Geological Survey data release includes bare-earth digital elevation models (DEMs) that were produced by removing elevation bias in vegetated areas from structure-from-motion (SfM) data products for two sites on Dauphin Island, Alabama. These data were collected in the late fall of 2018 and spring of 2019. In addition to the bare-earth DEMs, this data release also includes...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Barrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19 Barrier island vegetation and elevation survey, Dauphin Island, AL, 2018-19

Vegetation and elevation survey data were collected in 4-square-meter quadrats via Real-Time Kinematic GPS from September 9, 2018 to April 17, 2019 on Dauphin Island, AL. Vegetation data included total percent herbaceous cover, percent cover by plant species, and mean height of vegetation within the quadrat. The percent cover by species was used to determine the dominant species for the...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.

Non-USGS Publications**

Patton, Brett Ashley, "Living on the Edge: An Assessment of the Habitat Use of Waterbirds in Estuarine Wetlands of Barataria Basin, LA" (2016). LSU Master's Theses. 1670. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/1670

**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.

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

Was this page helpful?