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J. Edward Gates, Associate Professor
Full Curriculum Vitae
Phone: 301.689.7173
Fax: 301.689.7200
Email: 		 
Research Interests
  • Wildlife, habitat, and landscape ecology
  • Habitat fragmentation and alteration, connectivity (corridors), edge effects, and boundary dynamics
  • Habitat suitability for vertebrate species
  • Human dimensions of wildlife
 
Education

1976  Ph.D.

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI - Wildlife Ecology

1972  M.A.

Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH - Plant Ecology

1969  B.S.

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA - Biology
 
Professional Experience

1982-Present

Associate Professor, Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD

1977-1982

Assistant Professor, Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD

 
Selected Publications
  • Gates, J. E. 2006. Forest fragmentation. J. Haskell and R. Abramson, editors. Encyclopedia of Appalachia. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
  • Zuria, I., and J. E. Gates . 2006. Vegetated field margins in Mexico: their history, structure and function, and management. Human Ecology 34(1):53-77.
  • Gates, J. E., and J. E. McKearnan. 2003 . Artificial nest predation across riparian-upland forest ecotones. Southeastern Naturalist 2(2):301-312. (nutshell)
  • Precht, F. L., D. R. Evans, and J. E. Gates . 1999. Simulating spatial patterns of brown-headed cowbird brood parasitism in the Central Appalachians. Geographical and Environmental Modelling 3(2):179-202.
  • Gates, J. E., and D. R. Evans. 1998. Cowbirds breeding in the central Appalachians: spatial and temporal patterns and habitat selection. Ecological Applications 8(1):27-40.
  • Durner, G. M., and J. E. Gates . 1993. Spatial ecology of black rat snakes on Remington Farms, Maryland. Journal of Wildlife Management 57(4):812-826.
  • Gates, J. E. , and N. R. Giffen. 1991. Neotropical migrant birds and edge effects at a forest-stream ecotone. Wilson Bulletin 103(2):204- 217.
  • Gates, J. E. 1991. Powerline corridors, edge effects, and wildlife in forested landscapes of the central Appalachians. Pages 13-32 in J. E. Rodiek and E. G. Bolen, eds. Wildlife and habitats in managed landscapes. Island Press, Washington, D. C.
  • Bendel, P. R., and J. E. Gates . 1987. Home range and microhabitat partitioning of the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). Journal of Mammalogy 68(2):243-255.
  • Morgan, K. A., and J. E. Gates . 1982. Bird population patterns in forest edge and strip vegetation at Remington Farms, Maryland. Journal of Wildlife Management 46(4):933-944.
  • Williams, R. D., J. E. Gates , and C. H. Hocutt. 1981. An evaluation of known and potential sampling techniques for the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. Journal of Herpetology 15(1):23-27.
  • Gates, J. E. , and L. W. Gysel. 1978. Avian nest dispersion and fledging success in field-forest ecotones. Ecology 59(5):871-883.
 
Selected Research Projects

Bat-Swarming Inventory At Abandoned Mine Portals At New River Gorge National River, West Virginia - This project, which is funded by the National Park Service, will determine bat species at approximately 21 abandoned mine portals at the New River Gorge National River, including presence of rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Bat Use of Abandoned Mines in Western Maryland - We are conducting conduct spring emergence and fall swarming surveys for bats in 2006 and 2007 at abandoned mines in western Maryland. The Maryland Bureau of Mines is performing deep mine closure projects on abandoned mine openings in Garrett and Allegany counties. A bat survey to determine species and relative abundances at each mine opening is needed to determine if a bat gate is required to protect their habitat. Funded by the Maryland Department of Environment - Bureau of Mines.
The Effect of Cell Towers on Birds and Bats at Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC - This project is investigating the possible effects on birds and bats of two existing telecommunications towers in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. We are conducting bird and bat mortality surveys during spring and fall migration, as well as during the summer over three years. We will also assess the potential effects of additional telecommunications facilities that might be sited in and around the park. Funded by the National Park Service.
Habitat Preferences Of Birds Wintering In Restored Grasslands of the Mid-Atlantic Region - Many species of grassland birds are suffering population declines throughout the United States. Grassland restoration efforts are widespread in the U.S. Midwestern states, and interest in this area of conservation is growing in other areas of the country, such as the Mid-Atlantic. Efforts have been made to understand grassland bird habitat requirements in order to spur effective conservation efforts. Much of this work encompasses the breeding season of these birds, but little is known about requirements for birds in winter. The research proposed will investigate the needs of birds wintering in restored grasslands in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Specifically, the goals of the study are to identify species utilizing these areas throughout the winter, examine the influence of field size and edge length on habitat use, examine the relative importance of grass and non-grass vegetation as cover for birds, ascertain the relationship between vegetation components and foraging behavior, and determine the intensity with which individuals utilize individual fields throughout the winter. By determining these relationships, this study will increase our knowledge of the ecology of some grassland species and their winter habitat requirements. This information may be directly applied to conservation and management plans. It may also generate new hypotheses about grassland bird ecology and management, or may be used as a model by which other investigators can research similar relationships for other regions or species. As a result, the study will improve the health and survival of birds that winter in these habitats, since better resources will be provided for them during a critical time of year. Funded by the National Park Service.

Bat Inventories of National Parks - These inventories, funded by the National Park Service, are aimed at developing a comprehensive database of bat species, their abundances, and distribution within 20 National Park Service units within Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.
Wildlife Risk and Fatality Assessments at Wind Energy Sites in Western Maryland - Nocturnal migratory birds and bats are at risk as they migrate/move through wind turbines at wind resource areas in the Appalachians. In order to understand these movement patterns, we acoustically monitored such activities at sites and nearby areas in western Maryland proposed for wind development. The information gathered will improve our understanding of the ways in which landscape features affect movements of nocturnal migratory bats and birds. This information will aid in siting wind turbines to minimize impacts on these species. Funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
 
Teaching Activities

Topics in Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, MEES 608 Y (1 credit) - Spring 2005

Topics of interest to students in wildlife and conservation ecology. The most recent topic was titled, "Sustainability and Wildlife Conservation ."

Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Analysis, MEES 698 N (3 credits) - Fall of odd numbered years

Concepts and measurement of wildlife-habitat relationships, and the management of wildlife habitat.

 
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