Carlton H. Hershner, Jr.

Director, Center for Coastal Resources Management
Associate Professor of Marine Science
B.S., Bucknell University
Ph.D., University of Virginia

Research Interests

My primary research interests are in tidal and nontidal wetlands ecology, landscape ecology and resource management/policy issues. I have active interests in resource inventory procedures, habitat restoration protocols, resource management "expert system" development, and science-policy interactions. Much of my current activity involves integrated resource management and the development of supporting scientific rationale. This work involves collaboration with colleagues in other disciplines and is presently focused on coastal watershed management.

Current Projects

• Structure and function of nontidal wetlands in the coastal plain
• Watershed management in the York River Basin
• Resource use conflict analysis and policy development
• Landscape level habitat suitability model development
• Shoreline management policy development

Current Students

• Julie Herman, PhD., Wetland sediment storage and sediment budgets for the York River system.
• Rebecca Boger, PhD., Development of a mesoscale habitat suitability model, using river herring as a case study.
• Donna Bilkovic, PhD., Identification of potential American shad spawning and nursery habitats in the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers based on riverine habitat and landscape variables.
• Jennifer Newton, PhD., An analysis if wetland patterns and functions at the watershed and subwatershed scales, with policy applications.
• Helen Woods, MS, Shallow water resource use conflicts: Development of policy guidance for submerged aquatic vegetation and clam aquaculture.
• Kevin Skunda, MS, Application of a theoretical model in the analysis of shoreline stability for the Mobjack Bay region of Virginia

Selected Publications

Perry, J. E. and C. Hershner. 1999. Temporal changes in the vegetation pattern in a tidal freshwater marsh. Wetlands 19(1):90-99.

Berman, M. and C. Hershner. 1999. Development of guidelines for generating shoreline situation reports: Establishing protocols for data collection and dissemination. Final report to USEPA.

Greiner, M. and C. Hershner. 1998. Analysis of wetland total phosphorus retention and watershed structure. Wetlands 18(1),142-150.

Varnell, L. M., K. J. Havens and C. Hershner. 1995. Daily variability in the population levels and characteristics of aquatic wildlife using tidal salt marshes. Estuaries 18(2):326-334.

 carl@vims.edu