USGS/Leetown Science Center Southern Appalachian Field Branch Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996 PHONE: (865) 974-0739 FAX: (865) 974-3555 Branch Chief: Joseph Clark Staff • Research Studies • Directions |
SCIENTIFIC FOCUS PURPOSE The mission of the Southern Appalachian Field Branch is to provide technical assistance and to facilitate cooperative research in the biological, geophysical, and social sciences with emphasis on upland ecosystems in the southern Appalachian Highlands. ACCOMPLISHMENTS/GOALS • Become a leader in landscape modeling to predict the ecological consequences of anthropogenic impacts to the southern Appalachians • Provide expertise in wildlife habitat and population analysis with emphasis on management of large mammals • Assume a leadership role in demonstrating concepts of sustainable development, both regionally and globally • Continue to develop and refine procedures for I&M in National Parks | |
RESEARCH FOCUS • Dr. Joseph Clark To conduct hypothesis-driven experimental wildlife research directed toward management population analysis • Dr. John Peine To study the social, economic, and political parameters that best predict the nature and magnitude of human influences on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. • Dr. Charles Parker To conduct basic inventories of natural resources of the Southern Appalachians and integrate the data models of landscape patterns. • Dr. Frank van Manen To evaluate the spatial relationships between plants and animals and the environments where they are found. CURRENT RESEARCH |
|
FACILITIES CAPABILITIES • Landscape modeling using Geographic Information Systems as a tool to predict and mitigate effects of human disturbance on wildlife • Wildlife habitat and population analysis with emphasis on management of large mammals • Development of protocols for inventory and monitoring both natural and human resources in upland ecosystems in the Southeast. |