Bryan Watts : Research Interests

My research interests are broad and have always been process oriented. Rather than focusing on a narrow range of taxa my research attempts to explore general ecological principles that have broad application. My approach to research problems is adapted from general systems theory and is holistic. I believe that a genuine understanding of form, function and process will only be complete when an understanding of the ecological context has been achieved. To this end, the central theme that governs my research is to investigate not only processes but also the ecological and physical constraints under which they have evolved and currently operate.

Over the past several years, I have designed and conducted/directed over 250 research projects involving avian species or communities within the mid-Atlantic region of North America. These projects have included virtually every avian community within the Coastal Plain. Projects have been conducted during all seasons of the year but have focused on breeding and migration.

My current research interests include: 1) the ecology of species within dynamic landscapes (e.g. waterbirds nesting on barrier island beaches, species such as kingfishers and swallows that require exposed banks for nesting, species that require fire-maintained habitats), 2) the ecology of Bald Eagles in the Chesapeake Bay, 3) the effects of anthropogenic stressors on avian communities within coastal regions, 4) the ecology of birds within migration stopover areas, 5) breeding time horizons in the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.