Dr. Paton's research focuses on the conservation of vertebrate populations, with an emphasis on birds and amphibians. He is particularly interested in the impact of urbanization on vertebrates in New England. His recent avian research projects have included studies of the population ecology of neotropical migratory birds at a stopover site during fall migration, the effects of salt marsh restoration on Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows, foraging habitat selection by wading birds in Narragansett Bay, and factors affecting plover populations along the coast. His research on pond-breeding amphibians has included movement phenology, assessment of techniques for monitoring population trends, investigation of the effects of landscape structure on population size, and assessment of the importance of within-pond and landscape-level habitat features on amphibian community structure.

IGERT 11 Oct 2012 Peter Paton from UMass Offshore Wind IGERT on Vimeo.