Linder Ecology Lab
(I have moved to the University of
Texas-Brownsville...as of Aug '07)
UTB statement: I will probably be pursuing some research in the area shorebird ecology as well as working at UTB's research station at El Cielo in the cloud forests of Mexico.
My research interest is primarily concerned with understanding pattern and process related to the distribution of abundance at the local, landscape, and biogeographic scales. However, since ecosystems are spatially and temporally dynamic, I frequently address distribution issues in the context of habitat disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic. I typically focus on populations and/or communities, although I am not wed to a specific taxon or habitat. My work usually has conservation implications.
I
am also interested in ecological processes occurring at the largest scales, both
spatially and temporally (macroecology). To
understand local processes, it is important to consider the temporal and spatial
context at which the observed pattern occurs.
Consequently, I consider local processes, e.g. community and population
dynamics, within a geographic context. This
work is computer intensive and is conducted within a spatially explicit
framework (GIS). Previous work in
this area has been conducted with Dr.
Brian Maurer (Michigan State University).
Finally, I am interested in the ecology the cerrado region of South America (link to map). I am involved with projects examining portions of the bird, herpetofauna, and mammalian communities of this poorly-understood and highly-endangered ecosystem.
Current Research Projects:
Assessing the benefit of newly established field borders to birds in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley
The impact of climate variation on reproductive success of songbirds in the southern Appalachians
The reproductive ecology of Acadian Flycatchers and Prothonotary Warblers in bottomland hardwood forests at Noxubee NWR
The REU crew has been examining the role of forest structure on the foraging behavior of Acadian Flycatchers at NNWR
The influence of Green-tree
Reservoirs (GTR) on
avian community structure
Reproductive ecology of the Hyacinth Macaw in the cerrado, Brazil
Community ecology of canopy marsupials in the cerrado, Brazil
The influence of landscape composition on the avian community in the southern Appalachians
Undergraduate Research:
I am part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in the Dept. of Biological Sciences here at MSU where we focus on the conservation biology of the southeastern US. Each summer we bring in 8 undergraduate students from around the country to participate in this intense research experience where students conduct, analyze, and present unique research projects.. Each faculty member generally mentors two students per summer. Interested parties can find more information on this topic at our website (link above).
Undergraduates at MSU who are interested in conducting research can contact me directly via email, phone, or just drop by the basement of Harned Room 19
Contact Information:
Office Phone (662) 325-7568
Lab Phone (662) 325-2115
Department Fax (662) 325-7939
Email: ETL5@biology.msstate.edu
I am usually interested in accepting new graduate students or post-docs
into the lab.