R. Michael Erwin

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Department of Environmental Sciences
Clark Hall
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22904

Telephone: 434-924-3207

Fax: 434-982-2137

Email: merwin@usgs.gov

Research Wildlife Biologist

Primary Responsibilities: 
Research duties include investigations of coastal wetlands and their associated waterbird populations, assessing potential effects of sea-level rise on coastal wetlands and bird habitats, evaluating the ecological effects of marsh management techniques on federal refuges and parks, monitoring island restoration methods and wildlife responses, investigating the role of migratory waterbirds in the avian influenza threat, and providing technical assistance to land managers on decisions involving wetland habitat manipulations, restoration, or enhancement.

Current projects include:  (1) assessing the long-term changes along the Virginia Coast Reserve and the implications to waterbird populations and habitats (co-PI with the University of Virginia’s Long Term Ecological Research Project); (2) evaluating island restoration techniques in Chesapeake Bay with respect to waterbird population dynamics (with focus on Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Project); (3) research and monitoring of open marsh water management on USFWS national wildlife refuges in the Northeast; (4) conducting research on the role of migratory birds in transmission of avian influenza in China (SCEP student involvement); (5) monitoring effects of sea-level rise in coastal Virginia and potential impacts on waterbird habitat (6) senior editor of symposium proceedings on “Waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay and Vicinity: Harbingers of Change” (expected late 2007).

Technical and Professional Assistance:  Serve on National Science Panel for San Francisco Bay Restoration (since 2003), USGS representative on the Habitat Subgroup of the Poplar Island Envir. Restoration Project (since 1994), Chair of International Grants Committee of The Waterbird Society, Committee member for International Awards, Waterbird Society, Charter Member of the Virginia Coastal Avian Partnership, Committee member of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

Education/Training: 
B.S., Hartwick College, 1967; Biology
M.S., University of Rhode Island, 1969; Zoology
Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1975; Zoology

Active Projects: 
Sea-level rise, marsh inundation, and wildlife habitat implications

Assessing the relative habitat value of restored versus natural coastal marshes to migratory birds in Chesapeake Bay.

Evaluating the effects of open marsh water management on Region 5 refuges

Development of protocols for long-term monitoring of coastal parks

A conservation plan for waterbirds throughout North America

Selected Publications/Products: 
Erwin, RM, GM Sanders, DJ Prosser, and DR Cahoon. 2006. High tides and rising seas: potential effects on estuarine waterbirds. Pages 214-228 in: Terrestrial Vertebrates of Tidal Marshes: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation (R. Greenberg, J. Maldonado, S. Droege, and M.V. McDonald, eds.). Studies in Avian Biology No. 32, Cooper Ornithological Society.

Erwin, RM, DR Cahoon, DJ Prosser, GM Sanders, and P Hensel. 2006. Surface elevation dynamics in vegetated Spartina marshes versus unvegetated tidal ponds along the mid-Atlantic coast, USA, with implications to waterbirds. Estuaries and Coasts 29: 96-106.

Mitchell, L., S. Gabrey, P. Marra and R.M. Erwin. 2006. Impacts of marsh management on coastal marsh bird habitats. Pages 155-175 in: Terrestrial Vertebrates of Tidal Marshes: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation (R. Greenberg, J. Maldonado, S. Droege, and M.V. McDonald, eds.). Studies in Avian Biology No. 32, Cooper Ornithological Society.

Erwin, RM, GM Sanders, and DJ Prosser. 2004. Changes in lagoonal marsh morphology at selected northeastern Atlantic coast sites of significance to migratory waterbirds. Wetlands 24: 891-903.

Erwin, RM, DH Allen, and D. Jenkins. 2003. Created versus natural coastal islands: Atlantic waterbird populations, habitat choices, and management implications. Estuaries 26: 949-955.

Erwin, R. M., B. R. Truitt, and J. E. Jimenez. 2001. Ground-nesting waterbirds and mammalian carnivores in the Virginia barrier island region: Running out of options. Journal of Coastal Research 17: 292 - 296.

Brown, K. M., R. M. Erwin, M. E. Richmond, P. A Buckley, J. T. Tanacredi, and D. Avrin. 2001. Managing birds and controlling aircraft in the Kennedy Airport-Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge complex: The need for hard data and soft opinions. Environmental Management 28: 207 - 224.

Erwin, R. M. and T. W. Custer. 2000. Herons as indicators. Pages 311 - 330 in Heron conservation (J.A. Kushlan and H. Hafner, eds.), Academic Press, San Diego, CA.