Research uses 54 years of bald eagle productivity and contaminant data to determine localized, watershed-level, as well as population level, effects caused by organochlorines and heavy metals
Determine sink / source effects and morphometric differences in nestlings between these spatial regions
I joined the Department of Environmental Science and Technology as Professor and Chair in May 2011. I was previously at Clemson University for 12 years as a faculty member in wildlife ecology and ecotoxicology. I specialize in the study of how stressors affect wildlife populations including environmental contaminants effects, the effects of human activities, foraging ecology, and habitat relationships. My primary species that I study is the bald eagle, but have studied other species in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
International Association of Great Lakes Research
Natural Areas Association
Sigma Xi-The Scientific Research Society, Clemson Chapter
Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Raptor Research Foundation
The Wildlife Society
Professional Organization Memberships:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Office of the Great Lakes
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest
U.S. National Park Service
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
NIH-Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Charter Township of Meridian, Michigan
Great Lakes Protection Fund
International Joint Commission, United States and Canada
Science and Engineering Research Canada
St. Mary’s River Binational Public Advisory Committee
Environment Canada
Georgian Academy of Science
Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP)
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University
College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences, Clemson University
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Lake Superior State University
Clemson University
University Presidential Committees and Service, Clemson University
Faculty Senate, Clemson University
University Committees, University of Maryland, College Park
System Committee, University of Maryland System
Special Administrative Assignments
Courses Taught, Clemson University, 2006-2011
Courses Taught at University of Maryland, College Park
Clemson University, Committee Member
University of Maryland, College Park, Committee Member
University of Maryland, College Park, Dean’s Representative
Training International Scientists:
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of eight sea eagle species found worldwide. The bald eagle population in Michigan has undergone a significant recovery following the ban of the pesticide dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), and its subsequent derivatives, mainly dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), by the Environmental Protection Agency in the 1970’s. Population productivity and recovery however, have been uneven throughout the state of Michigan because of the higher load and persistence of contaminants in specific regions. Bald eagles are tertiary predators with a mainly piscivorous diet, making them an ideal sentinel species to assess contaminant levels in the Great Lakes Basin. Because of the tendency of organochlorine chemicals to bioaccumulate in the adipose tissue of fishes, bald eagles have been regarded as a key wildlife biomonitor in within the Great Lakes by the International Joint Commission. Average core home ranges for adult nesting bald eagles are approximately 4.9 km2, meaning foraging ranges are limited to local watersheds. Nestlings accumulate significant levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p'-DDE, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ) in their tissues, indicative of aquatic contaminants occurring in the proximate environment. My research uses 54 years of bald eagle productivity and contaminant data to determine localized, watershed-level, as well as population level, effects caused by organochlorines and heavy metals. Eagles nesting within 8.0 km of the Great Lakes shorelines have greater PCB and p,p'-DDE concentrations, and decreased productivity rates than those nesting in more interior regions. Contaminated adults that originated from these areas may contribute to a decreased rate of recovery because of their inability to reproduce at sufficient levels to support a healthy population. Through my research, I also determine sink/ source effects and morphometric differences in nestlings between these spatial regions.
The Joint Analytical Services Laboratory is directed by Dr. William Bowerman and managed by Dr. Rockie Yarwood. The JASL mission is to support the research efforts of ENST faculty and their collaborators. At the present time, the facility and its instrumentation is being utilized in support of the research efforts of ENST faculty: Dr. Stephanie Lansing, Dr. Lance Yonkos, and Dr. William Bowerman. As our department continues to grow, the vision for JASL is one of continuing expansion and improvement of capabilities with eventual development into a strong core laboratory facility serving not only ENST, but other departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) as well.
Selected Publications:
(98 book chapters and journal publications total; only those since 2007 listed below)