Robert J. Gates

Curriculum Vita

Research Statement

My current research program focuses on population-habitat relationships of migratory waterfowl, marsh birds, shorebirds, and upland game birds. My interests also include wildlife diseases, conservation of threatened and endangered species, and human social aspects of wildlife management problems.

Expanded Research Statement

I have broad general interest in applied wildlife management problems that are of interest or concern to public resource management agencies, private conservation organizations, resource users, and stakeholders. My professional career began with a focus on waterfowl and wetlands ecology and management, but that focus has broadened to include shorebirds, wading birds, and even some mammals (e.g. muskrats, snowshoe hares, and raccoons) that utilize wetlands. Population - habitat relationships of wetlands wildlife continues to be my primary research emphasis, but my interests are not confined entirely to that system. My research on wildlife diseases, management of upland game birds, and conservation of threatened and endangered species stems from a general interest in population ecology, especially as it relates to wildlife responses to human influence and habitat change. The goal of my research program is to apply current ecological theory, basic natural science, and state-of-the art field methods and analytical techniques to better understand and manage wildlife populations and their habitats in order to enhance the quality of human life. I typically approach such problems from a multi-scale perspective that investigates relevant processes at microhabitat, small area, and landscape scales. Most of my work involves measuring habitat characteristics and estimating population parameters (e.g. abundance, survival, reproduction) and integrating these in a multivariate analysis framework. I have collaborated with social scientists to conduct research on attitudes of landowners toward allowing recreational use (especially hunting) on their land, and on a study of factors affecting participation in deer hunting by Ohio resident hunters. My interests in these studies stem from a personal concern for maintaining the hunting tradition in today’s society, as well as a professional concern that hunting will remain a viable wildlife management tool and source of funding for wildlife conservation, now and in the future.  

Courses