Anthropogenic change and natural disturbance such as hurricanes, sea level rise, and coastal subsidence have caused a reduction in the amount of forested habitat along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, including the Coastal Cheniers near Johnson Bayou in southwestern Louisiana where my study is located (Johnson Bayou Banding Site). Because coastal forests may serve as critical stopover sites for migratory birds, disturbances that alter them may affect the ability of migrants to rest and refuel following flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Since fall 2005, forested habitat along the SW coast of Louisiana has been impacted by hurricanes Rita and Ike (Hurricane Rita Aerial Photos). Most studies related to the impacts of hurricanes on migratory birds have focused on the direct effects when storms coincide with fall migration or the impacts on migrants wintering in the Neotropics. Few studies have considered the indirect impact of weather events on migratory birds, and even less so on the impact of hurricanes.

This study examines the effects of hurricanes on the migrant-habitat relations during stopover, and will be conducted at two levels of analysis:

1. Whether bird species assemblages change in response to post-hurricane habitat changes.
2. Examine whether stopover biology (e.g. stopover length, mass gain/fat gain) is influenced by hurricane impacts on habitat.

Research Interests and Experience

My research interests are primarily on ecosystem restoration and monitoring, with a focus on disturbance ecology. Previous research includes the use of breeding bird surveys and vegetation surveys to assess the ecological impacts of disturbances such as fire and windstorms in the upper Great Lakes region, particularly the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota (BWCAW). I have also assisted with vegetation monitoring following savanna restoration on several sites in Indiana State natural areas, and have assisted with forest ecology research in Mexico.

Publications

1. Lain, E.J., A. Haney, J.M. Burris and J. Burton. 2008. Response of vegetation and birds to severe wind disturbance and salvage logging in a southern boreal forest. Forest Ecology and Management 256 (5): 863-871.
2. Haney, A., M. Bowles, S. Apfelbaum, E. Lain and T. Post. 2008. Gradient analysis of an eastern sand savanna’s woody vegetation, and its long-term response to restored fire processes. Forest Ecology and Management 256 (8): 1560-1571.

Contact information Department of Biological Sciences The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive # 5018 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 601-266-4394 (lab) 601-266-5797 (fax) ejlain78@gmail.com

Johnson Bayou Crew 2009