General Information

My major research interests are in ecology and natural resource management. I feel the value of our natural resources and the benefits derived from them are an important part of the study of ecology. Specifically, I am studying wetlands, their dynamic nature, and the vital functions they provide. The functional processes I investigate are nutrient cycling, decomposition and hydrology.

My research interests also include various organisms that are linked to these functional processes, most notably macroinvertebrates and birds. How organisms respond to or are influenced by wetland function is an important part of my research. A common goal in my research is to be able to apply knowledge gained about wetlands and the wildlife that use wetlands to improve management decisions.

In recent years I have had students working on using macroinvertebrates to assess water quality in streams and wetlands, analysis of atrazine in natural and created wetlands, physical and chemical characterization of wetland soils, and odonate diversity in wetlands. Follow the link in the sidebar to these student research projects.

I have also been involved in a long-term qualitative survey of bird diversity and distribution in strip mine lands at the Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area in southern Indiana. I have compiled a list of bird species you can check out in the link in the sidebar.

The links in the sidebar can also direct you to some of the important natural and created wetlands we have been studying including, Howell wetlands, Heim Road wetlands, Eagle Slough, and Wesselman's Woods.