Beth A. Middleton

 Beth A. Middleton

Global climate change potentially challenges the migration capabilities of species along latitudinal gradients. My research focuses on the biotic constraints of species to global climate change both from a functional and regeneration perspective, especially in baldcypress swamps. My studies on plant regeneration have looked at dispersal constraints at regional and local levels in the northern extreme of the cypress swamp region (southern Illinois), to predict how readily species may shift in the event of climate change. Many of my students have worked on plant regeneration dynamics, particularly as related to seed dispersal, seed bank and seedling relationships to seasonal hydrodynamics, i.e., flood pulsing.

Invasive species continue to pose a threat to biodiversity worldwide. My students and I have studied the life history requirements of species in their native vs. invasive habitats. For example, purple loosestrife in its native Turkey grows in discrete patches along streams, whereas it is capable of achieving nearly mono-dominant states in wetlands in North America. We also work on latitudinal studies of climatic constraints of invasive species e.g., purple loosestrife and hybrid cattail.

My Ph.D. dissertation was on goose grazing in monsoonal wetlands in India, and I continue to study grazing dynamics and its relationship to succession in wetlands. One long term study examines the invasion of shrubby species (e.g., Cornus sericea) in sedge meadows in Wisconsin and the use of fire to manage shrubs.

Selected Publications:

Books:

• Middleton, B.A. (ed). 2002. Flood pulsing in wetlands: Restoring the balance. John Wiley and Sons, New York. <\li>

• Middleton, B.A. 1999. Wetland restoration, flood pulsing and disturbance dynamics. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

 

Articles:

• Middleton B.A., D. Devlin, E. Proffitt, K. McKee, and K. Cretini. 2009. Characteristics of mangrove swamps managed for mosquito control in eastern FL. Marine Ecology Progress Series 371:117-129. PDF

• McKee, K., B.A. Middleton, E. Proffitt, and D. Devlin. 2009. Perspectives on mosquito impoundments in eastern Florida. Marine Ecology Progress Series 389:301. PDF

• Middleton, B.A. 2009. Regeneration of coastal marsh vegetation impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Wetlands 29:54-65. PDF

• Middleton, B.A. 2009. Effects of Hurricane Katrina on the forest structure of baldcypress swamps of the Gulf Coast. Wetlands 29:80-87. PDF

• Middleton, B.A. 2009. Effects of Hurricane Katrina tree regeneration in baldcypress swamps of the Gulf Coast. Wetlands 29:135-141.PDF

• Ramsey, E. III, A. Rangoonwala, B.A. Middleton and Z. Lu. 2009. Satellite optical, radar and high altitude image data of Hurricane Katrina wetland forest impact and short-term recover in the lower Pearl River floodplain of Louisiana, USA. Wetlands 29:66-79. PDF

• Middleton, B.A. 2009. Regeneration potential of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) swamps and climate change. Plant Ecology 202:257-274.PDF

• Middleton, B.A. and K.L. McKee. 2004. Use of a latitudinal gradient in bald cypress production to examine physiological controls on biotic boundaries and potential responses to environmental change. Global Ecology and Biogeography 13:247-258. PDF

• Middleton, B.A. and K.L. McKee. 2001. Degradation of mangrove tissues and implications for peat formation in Belizean island forests. Journal of Ecology 89:818-828. PDF

• Middleton, B. A. 2000. Hydrochory, seed banks, and regeneration dynamics across landscape boundaries in a forested wetland. Plant Ecology 146:169-184. PDF

 

Find the full Publication List here Contact:

Beth Middleton National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506, telephone (337) 266-8618.