Brian is a Research Wildlife Biologist located at the Eastern Ecological Science Center (formerly Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) in Cortland, New York.
Brian collaborates with DOI partners, USGS and academic colleagues on mission-critical problems or emerging issues. I conduct research primarily through graduate student mentoring and advising. Secondarily, he provide technical assistance to partners that often lead to interesting research questions and products.
Professional Experience
1996 - present USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center, Cortland, NY
1993 - 1996 National Biological Survey, Syracuse, NY
1990 - 1993 National Park Service, Boston, MA
Education and Certifications
PhD (1990); Wildlife Ecology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.
MS (1986); Wildlife Ecology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse
BS (1982); Wildlife Resources Management, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Affiliations and Memberships*
The Wildlife Society (TWS)
Honors and Awards
Patuxent Scientific Achievement Award, 3/00
Service Appreciation, Bureau of Land Management, 5/99
Regional Director’s Award (Northeast Region) for Natural Resource Research, National Park Service, 5/98
Merit Award for Scientific Contributions, Fire Island National Seashore, 2/98
Science and Products
Conservation of Rare Vegetation Communities of the Atlantic Coastal Barrier Islands
Post-Hurricane Sandy Vegetation Recovery in the Presence of a Hyper-abundant Deer Population
Estimation of Density and Abundance of Biological Populations on National Parks and Wildlife Refuges Through Distance Sampling
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Conservation of Rare Vegetation Communities of the Atlantic Coastal Barrier Islands
The Challenge: A synthesis of the role of disturbance, in all of its manifestations, on the establishment and development of the American Holly forest is required to guide future conservation measures. Because many forest fragments have already endured >30 years of chronic deer herbivory, a legitimate question of how much more impact by deer can be tolerated and still conserve the essential type...Post-Hurricane Sandy Vegetation Recovery in the Presence of a Hyper-abundant Deer Population
The Challenge: The primary dune along barrier island beaches protects leeward vegetation from tidal fluctuation, salt spray and storm surge. However, storm surges like those experienced during Hurricane Sandy can obliterate the primary dune, transporting sand inland and burying existing vegetation. The dune rebuilds naturally as recovering vegetation traps wind-blown and waterborne sand. The rate...Estimation of Density and Abundance of Biological Populations on National Parks and Wildlife Refuges Through Distance Sampling
The Challenge: Assessing the status and trends of populations of biological organisms is an important management goal and a recurrent theme in USGS research. Often, the most basic question of “how many are there?” remains elusive, thus making management decisions more difficult. This study continues a long-term commitment of technical support for the use of distance sampling for wildlife...
*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