David King

Title: Research Wildlife Biologist
Unit: Center for Research on Ecosystem Change
Address: Northern Research Station
201 Holdsworth NRC, Univ. of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9285
Phone: 413-545-0357
E-mail: Contact David King

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Education

• Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.  May  1999. Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation/Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (joint degree).
• M.S. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. May 1995. Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation.
• B.S. Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. May 1989. Wildlife Management.

Civic & Professional Affiliations

American Ornithologists? Union, The Wildlife Society

Current Research

Current studies include the ecology and management of disturbance dependant birds in managed wildlife openings and beaver-influenced wetlands, as well as the effects of fuels control on these species in pitch pine scrub oak forests. I am also studying the factors affecting populations of birds in montane spruce-fir forests, the ecology of birds during migratory stopover, and the relationship of birds with exotic invasive plants. Finally, I am studying the habitat use and habitat specific survival of wintering Neotropical migrants in Costa Rican coffee plantations.

Why is This Important

Americans care for wildlife and wild places, and birds are a conspicuous component of our wildlife resource that attracts millions of bird watching enthusiasts annually. Many bird species are declining and require habitat management for their numbers to persist. This is particularly true of disturbance dependent species, the focus of much of my research. These populations are vulnerable at all stages of the annual cycle, and thus, my research includes study of the habitats needed for breeding, migration and over wintering. My research provides the knowledge and tools required by managers to conserve these species and the habitats they require.

Future Research

• I plan to investigate the distribution of forest vertebrates along a gradient of urbanization and fragmentation in southern New England with my colleague Dr. Robert Brooks.
• I plan to investigate the ecology of vertebrates in eastern old growth and over mature forests.
• I plan to investigate the ecology of Cerulean Warblers on the edge of their range in southern New England.

Featured Publications

Additional Online Publications