Lori  Blanc, Ph.D. 

Post-doctoral Research Associate

Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech

Current Research

My broad research interests are focused on investigating how species interactions influence ecological community structure, and how the mechanisms that mediate species interactions can affect community responses to endangered species management and environmental change.

My current research involves the nesting and community ecology of cavity-nesting birds of the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) Sandhills in the southeastern U.S.   I am interested in looking at the potential impacts (both positive and negative) of management for the  federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) on other cavity-nesting species.  I am also interested in furthering our understanding of the importance of dead and decaying trees (snags) within the longleaf pine ecosystem. 

More information on the longleaf pine ecosystem and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

Nesting Ecology: Using a four-year study in a mature, fire-maintained longleaf pine forest on the Florida panhandle, I documented the nesting ecology of cavity-nesting birds on over 1,700 hectares (4200 acres) of land.  I am interested in their use of both red-cockaded woodpecker cavities and snags (dead trees).

Community Ecology: I developed a nest-web (modelled after work by Martin and Eadie 1999) to depict the flow of cavity creation and use within this system. This nest web (right) visually depicts the proportionate use of tree resources and excavated cavities.  We have identified (a) the Northern Flicker as a key excavator of large cavities in this system, (b) an over-proportionate use of pine snags by cavity-nesters, and (c) the occasional use of hardwood snags by 11 of the 14 species.

Endangered Species Management: I am currently involved with ongoing red-cockaded woodpecker management at Eglin Air Force Base, which includes demographic monitoring, ecosystem management, and research.  In addition, as part of my dissertation and ongoing research, I am examining the impacts of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity management on other species.  First, we experimentally tested the nesting and abundance responses of large secondary cavity-nesting birds to the application of cavity restrictor plates.  Second, we have an ongoing study of the effects of cavity drilling on the abundance and nesting efforts of other bird species.

Current/Future Work:  I am interested in identifying forest age-related characteristics that influence woodpecker cavity-excavation and associated species interactions within the fire-maintained longleaf pine ecosystem.  To this end, I am currently collaborating with Dr. Jeff Walters and Kevin Rose to expand the cavity-nesting community study to several second-growth, fire-maintained longleaf pine forests in North Carolina.  I would also like to develop a better understanding of the decay dynamics of the the different types of snags (hardwood and pine) in the longleaf pine ecosystem, and how these decay dynamics relate to (a) cause of tree death, (b) usability for cavity excavation by woodpeckers, and (c) patterns of snag recruitment, loss and cavity-resource stability for the cavity-nesting community.

Selected Publications

Blanc, L. and J. R. Walters (2008). Cavity nest-webs in a longleaf pine ecosystem. Condor 110:80-92.

Blanc, L. and J. R. Walters. (2008). Cavity excavation and enlargement as mechanisms for indirect interactions in an avian community. Ecology 89: 506-514.

Blanc, L. and J.R. Walters. (2007). Cavity-nesting community webs as predictive tools: where do we go from here?  Journal of Ornithology 148:417-423.

Blanc, L., R. Emerson, and J. R. Walters. (2004). The role of the red-cockaded woodpecker cavity in the cavity-nesting bird community: a nest-web approach. Pp. 474 in R. Costa and S.J. Daniels, editors. Red-cockaded woodpecker: road to recovery. Hancock House Publishers, Blaine, Washington, USA.