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
- Research Wildlife Biologist, 1990-present.
Education
- BS (1982); Wildlife Resources Management, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
- MS (1986); Wildlife Ecology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.
- PhD (1990); Wildlife Ecology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse.
Current Research Emphasis
- applied population biology, ecology and demography
- natural resource conservation and management
- systems modeling and simulation
- trophic dynamics of plant-herbivore, prey-predator systems
- numerical ecology and applied statistics
Honors, Awards and Recognition
- 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
Professional Society Affiliations
- The Wildlife Society, Northeast Section, New York Chapter
TECHNICAL TRAININGRECEIVED.
- Cooperative Agreements Training, 1991
- Population Dynamics Workshop, SREL, 1991
- The Role and Responsibilities of Those Using Animals in Research and Teaching, 1994
- The Internet as a Faculty Tool, Syracuse University, 1995
- Making a Syllabus Page for the WWW, Syracuse University, 1995
- ArcView II Short‑course, SUNY- ESF Continuing Education, 1995
- Capture and Chemical Anesthesia of Wildlife, 1996
- AAA Driver Improvement Program, 2005
- USGS Field Employee Safety Orientation, 2005
Science and Products
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...
Science and Products
- 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... - Publications