My research interests range from basic questions concerning the evolution of coloniality to highly applied questions of habitat management and restoration for coastal wildlife populations. My work has concentrated on metapopulation dynamics of a number of avian species, habitat choice and variability, and factors influencing reproductive success. I have also directed projects involving landscape-scale experimental manipulations of habitats in coastal wetlands to evaluate wildlife responses. Of recent interest is a project to model the long-term implications for wildlife of coastal sea level rise and projected changes in Atlantic coastal marshes. I feel it is important to keep the broad (landscape) perspective in one’s research even if much attention is devoted to small-scale local experimentation.

Selected Recent Publications

Erwin, R.M., B. Truitt, and J. Jimenez. 2001. Ground-nesting waterbirds and mammalian carnivores in the Virginia barrier island region: Running out of options. J Coastal Research 17:292-296.

Brown, K.M., R.M. Erwin, M.E. Richmond, P.A. Buckley, J. Tanacredi, and D. Avrin. 2001. Managing birds and controlling aircraft in the Kennedy Airport - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Complex: The need for hard data and soft opinions. Environmental Management 28:207-224.

Brown, K.M., J.L. Tims, R.M. Erwin, and M.E. Richmond. 2001. Changes in the nesting populations of colonial waterbirds in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York, 1974-1998. Northeastern Nat 8:275-292.

Erwin, R.M., B.R. Truitt, and J.E. Jimenez. 2001. Ground-nesting waterbirds and mammalian carnivores in the Virginia barrier island region: Running out of options. J. Coastal Res.17:292-296.

Knoff, A., S.A. Macko and M. Erwin. 2001. Diets of nesting laughing gulls (Larus atricilla) at the Virginia Coastal Reserve: Observations from stable isotope analysis. Isotopes Environm Health Stud 37:67-88.

Erwin, R.M. and T.W. Custer. 2000. Herons as indicators. Pages 311-330 In Heron conservation (J.A. Kushlan and H. Hafner, eds.) Academic Press, London.

Erwin, R.M., M. Laubhan, J. Cornely, and D. Bradshaw. 2000. Managing wetlands for waterbirds: How managers can make a difference in improving habitat to support the North American Bird Conservation Plan. Pages 82-87 in R. Bonney, D. Pashley, R. Cooper, and L. Niles, eds., Strategies for Bird Conservation: The Partners in Flight Planning Process. USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-16, Ogden Utah.

Rattner, B., J. Pearson, N. Golden, J. Cohen, R.M. Erwin, and M. Ottinger. 2000. Contaminant exposure and effects - terrestrial vertebrates database: Trends and data gaps for Atlantic coast estuaries. Envir. Monit. & Assess. 63:131-142.

Erwin, R.M., T.B. Eyler, D.B. Stotts, and J.S. Hatfield. 1999. Aspects of chick growth in Gull-billed Terns in coastal Virginia. Waterbirds 22:47-53.

Eyler, T.B., R.M. Erwin, D.B. Stotts, and J.S. Hatfield. 1999. Aspects of hatching success and chick survival in Gull-billed Terns in coastal Virginia. Waterbirds 22: 54-59.

Erwin, R.M., J.D. Nichols, T.B. Eyler, and D.B. Stotts. 1998. Modeling colony site dynamics: the metapopulation of gull-billed terns in coastal Virginia. Auk 115: 970-978.

Erwin, R.M., 1997. Enhancing waterbird habitat with dredged materials: Some suggestions for improvement. Proc. 2nd Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conf.:106-108.