Research

Though wide in scope, the common theme of my research relates landscape properties to local
phenomena and encompasses many aspects of wetland ecology, conservation biology and
hydrogeology. I work with a variety of wetland communities, as well as plant and animal taxa at
several ecological levels, both in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the New World tropics. To
investigate these temporal and spatial relationships I commonly integrate field sampling,
hydrochemistry, geographic information systems (GIS), and statistical analyses.

Currently my time is dedicated to developing a successful research program that investigates:
1. Carolina bay ecology - Globally rare, locally abundant! I am intersted in relationships between spatial levels; the role of fire in shaping bay community richness and diversity, matrix condition and human impacts
2. Conservation easement oversight and wetland creation/restoration in "working" or multiple use landscapes
3. Expanding an existing partnership to conduct basic ecological research in Ecuador and the Galapagos

While at CCU I have collaborated on research involving Carolina bays, artificial reef systems, blackwater tidal
wetlands, wetland/development interface, watershed classification, anthropogenic runoff into swashes and
estuaries, K-12 science outreach, and conservation easement oversight. Lastly, I am one of four founding members in the Cluster for Applied Ecology and Conservation (CAEC) at CCU (Godwin, Hutchens, Luken, Walters).