Rebecca J Howard , Ph.D.
Rebecca Howard is a Scientist Emeritus at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Rebecca Howard directed a research program on wetland plant community dynamics, including the effects of stressors and disturbances on plant community structure and function. She also conducted research on seed bank ecology, wetland restoration ecology, and plant response to factors associated with climate change.
Her research program centered on plant community dynamics in coastal wetlands of the northern Gulf of Mexico and inland wetlands of the southeastern U.S. The major goals of Howard's research were to: (1) determine how wetland plants respond to physicochemical stressors and disturbance, (2) develop an understanding of how biotic and abiotic factors affect plant community structure and composition, and (3) determine the mechanisms responsible for spatial and temporal variation in plant communities. Specific studies have included determining the effects of increased flooding and salinity on the growth of common perennial marsh macrophytes in field and greenhouse experiments, detailing vegetation succession patterns and seed bank characteristics on exposed soils of a large freshwater reservoir, describing soil and plant community response to disturbance associated with oil and gas exploration, and identifying intraspecific variation in stress tolerance of wetland plant species with the goal of identifying plants for use in restoration projects.
Professional Experience
Research Ecologist, USGS National Wetlands Research Center / Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (1995 – 2020)
Ecologist, USFWS National Wetlands Research Center (1984 – 1995)
Wildife Biologist, USFWS National Coastal Ecosystems Team (1982 - 1984)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University
M.S., Wildlife Biology (Minor: Botany) University of Massachusetts, Amherst
B.S., Wildlife Biology (Minor: Botany),&nbs
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 37
Clonal variation in response to salinity and flooding stress in four marsh macrophytes of the northern gulf of Mexico, USA
Intraspecific variation in stress tolerance can be an important factor influencing plant population structure in coastal wetland habitats. We studied clones of four species of emergent marsh macrophytes native to the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, USA, to examine variation in response to salinity and flooding stress under controlled greenhouse conditions. Clones of Distichlis s
Authors
R.J. Howard, P.S. Rafferty
Native plants for effective coastal wetland restoration
Plant communities, along with soils and appropriate water regimes, are essential components of healthy wetland systems. In Louisiana, the loss of wetland habitat continues to be an issue of major concern. Wetland loss is caused by several interacting factors, both natural and human-induced (e.g., erosion and saltwater intrusion from the construction of canals and levees). Recent estimates of annua
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard
Structure and composition of oligohaline marsh plant communities exposed to salinity pulses
The response of two oligohaline marsh macrophyte communities to pulses of increased salinity was studied over a single growing season in a greenhouse experiment. The plant communities were allowed a recovery period in freshwater following the pulse events. The experimental treatments included: (1) salinity influx rate (rate of salinity increase from 0 to 12 gl-1); (2) duration of exposure to eleva
Authors
R.J. Howard, I.A. Mendelssohn
Salinity as a constraint on growth of oligohaline marsh macrophytes. II. Salt pulses and recovery potential
The ability of common oligohaline marsh macrophytes of the northern Gulf of Mexico coast to recover from pulses of increased salinity was investigated in a greenhouse experiment with Eleocharis palustris, Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Scirpus americanus monocultures. Components of salinity pulses applied were final salinity reached (6 or 12 g/L), salinity influx rate (3 d or 3 wk),
Authors
R.J. Howard, I.A. Mendelssohn
Salinity as a constraint on growth of oligohaline marsh macrophytes. I. Species variation in stress tolerance
The effects of increased salinity on plant growth were examined in a greenhouse experiment with four species common to oligohaline marshes of the northern Gulf of Mexico: Eleocharis palustris, Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Scirpus americanus. Effects of final salinity reached (6 or 12 g/L), salinity influx rate (3 d or 3 wk), and duration of exposure (1, 2, or 3 mo) were investigat
Authors
R.J. Howard, I.A. Mendelssohn
Effect of increased water depth on growth of a common perennial freshwater-intermediate marsh species in Coastal Louisiana
The response of Sagittaria lancifolia to increased water depths of 7.5 and 15 cm was examined in this field study. Water-depth treatments were achieved by digging sods containing one or two individual plants or ramets of S. lancifolia from the marsh, removing sediment from the resulting hole, and replacing the sods in their original location at the appropriate lower elevation. Plants subjected to
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard, Irving A. Mendelssohn
Streamside habitats in southern forested wetlands: Their role and implications for management
The value of streamside forests to fish and wildlife and the influence of forest management on their value have been recognized in a general sense for decades. However, in today’s climate of increasing environmental regulation and intensive forest management, there is need for more detailed understanding of the value of streamside forests to fish and wildlife. Dickson and Huntley (1987:38) describ
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard, James A. Allen
Habitat Suitability Index Models: Black-shouldered kite
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating black-shouldered kite habitat quality. The model is scaled to produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for model
Authors
Craig A. Faanes, Rebecca J. Howard
Habitat Suitability Index Models: American alligator
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating American alligator habitat quality. The model is applicable in marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is scaled to produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously develope
Authors
John D. Newsom, Ted Joanen, Rebecca J. Howard
Habitat suitability index models: northern pintail (Gulf Coast wintering)
No abstract available.
Authors
R.J. Howard, H.A. Kantrud
Habitat Suitability Index Models: Northern pintail (gulf coast wintering)
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating wintering habitat quality for northern pintail (Anas acuta) along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The model is scaled to produce an index between unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard, Harold A. Kantrud
Habitat Suitability Index Models: Great egret
The great egret, also called common egret or American egret, is a large white heron tn the order Ciconiiformes, family Ardeidae. Great egrets stand 94.0-104.1 cm (37-41 inches) tall and have a wing spread to 139.7 cm (55 inches) (Terres 1980). The species is associated with streams, ponds, lakes, mud flats, swamps, ahd freshwater and salt marshes. The birds feed in shallow water on fishes, amphibi
Authors
Brian R. Chapman, Rebecca J. Howard
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 37
Clonal variation in response to salinity and flooding stress in four marsh macrophytes of the northern gulf of Mexico, USA
Intraspecific variation in stress tolerance can be an important factor influencing plant population structure in coastal wetland habitats. We studied clones of four species of emergent marsh macrophytes native to the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, USA, to examine variation in response to salinity and flooding stress under controlled greenhouse conditions. Clones of Distichlis sAuthorsR.J. Howard, P.S. RaffertyNative plants for effective coastal wetland restoration
Plant communities, along with soils and appropriate water regimes, are essential components of healthy wetland systems. In Louisiana, the loss of wetland habitat continues to be an issue of major concern. Wetland loss is caused by several interacting factors, both natural and human-induced (e.g., erosion and saltwater intrusion from the construction of canals and levees). Recent estimates of annuaAuthorsRebecca J. HowardStructure and composition of oligohaline marsh plant communities exposed to salinity pulses
The response of two oligohaline marsh macrophyte communities to pulses of increased salinity was studied over a single growing season in a greenhouse experiment. The plant communities were allowed a recovery period in freshwater following the pulse events. The experimental treatments included: (1) salinity influx rate (rate of salinity increase from 0 to 12 gl-1); (2) duration of exposure to elevaAuthorsR.J. Howard, I.A. MendelssohnSalinity as a constraint on growth of oligohaline marsh macrophytes. II. Salt pulses and recovery potential
The ability of common oligohaline marsh macrophytes of the northern Gulf of Mexico coast to recover from pulses of increased salinity was investigated in a greenhouse experiment with Eleocharis palustris, Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Scirpus americanus monocultures. Components of salinity pulses applied were final salinity reached (6 or 12 g/L), salinity influx rate (3 d or 3 wk),AuthorsR.J. Howard, I.A. MendelssohnSalinity as a constraint on growth of oligohaline marsh macrophytes. I. Species variation in stress tolerance
The effects of increased salinity on plant growth were examined in a greenhouse experiment with four species common to oligohaline marshes of the northern Gulf of Mexico: Eleocharis palustris, Panicum hemitomon, Sagittaria lancifolia, and Scirpus americanus. Effects of final salinity reached (6 or 12 g/L), salinity influx rate (3 d or 3 wk), and duration of exposure (1, 2, or 3 mo) were investigatAuthorsR.J. Howard, I.A. MendelssohnEffect of increased water depth on growth of a common perennial freshwater-intermediate marsh species in Coastal Louisiana
The response of Sagittaria lancifolia to increased water depths of 7.5 and 15 cm was examined in this field study. Water-depth treatments were achieved by digging sods containing one or two individual plants or ramets of S. lancifolia from the marsh, removing sediment from the resulting hole, and replacing the sods in their original location at the appropriate lower elevation. Plants subjected toAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Irving A. MendelssohnStreamside habitats in southern forested wetlands: Their role and implications for management
The value of streamside forests to fish and wildlife and the influence of forest management on their value have been recognized in a general sense for decades. However, in today’s climate of increasing environmental regulation and intensive forest management, there is need for more detailed understanding of the value of streamside forests to fish and wildlife. Dickson and Huntley (1987:38) describAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, James A. AllenHabitat Suitability Index Models: Black-shouldered kite
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating black-shouldered kite habitat quality. The model is scaled to produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for modelAuthorsCraig A. Faanes, Rebecca J. HowardHabitat Suitability Index Models: American alligator
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating American alligator habitat quality. The model is applicable in marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is scaled to produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developeAuthorsJohn D. Newsom, Ted Joanen, Rebecca J. HowardHabitat suitability index models: northern pintail (Gulf Coast wintering)
No abstract available.AuthorsR.J. Howard, H.A. KantrudHabitat Suitability Index Models: Northern pintail (gulf coast wintering)
A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop a model for evaluating wintering habitat quality for northern pintail (Anas acuta) along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The model is scaled to produce an index between unsuitable habitat) and 1.0 (optimal habitat). Habitat suitability index models are designed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the UAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Harold A. KantrudHabitat Suitability Index Models: Great egret
The great egret, also called common egret or American egret, is a large white heron tn the order Ciconiiformes, family Ardeidae. Great egrets stand 94.0-104.1 cm (37-41 inches) tall and have a wing spread to 139.7 cm (55 inches) (Terres 1980). The species is associated with streams, ponds, lakes, mud flats, swamps, ahd freshwater and salt marshes. The birds feed in shallow water on fishes, amphibiAuthorsBrian R. Chapman, Rebecca J. Howard