Richard N. Conner is no longer employed by the Southern Research Station. This page contains the information about the last duty assignment Richard N.   Conner served with our Station.

Richard N. Conner

Name: Richard N. Conner  Title: Emeritus Scientist Unit: Southern Pine Ecology (4159) Phone: 936-569-7981 Fax: 936-569-9681 - Location Fax E-Mail: rconner@fs.fed.us   Location Information Mailing Address: USDA-Forest Service Southern Research Station 506 Hayter Street Nacogdoches, TX 75965 Shipping Address: Same as above     Location Phone: 936-569-7981   Research Information Education: Rutgers, Biological Sciences, B.A. 1968; Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Wildlife Management, M.S. 1974; Virginia Polytechnic Institute Zoology, Ph.D. 1977 Current Research: My current research focuses on the ecology, behavior, and habitat use of primary cavity-nesting birds. Most research efforts are currently focused on the red-cockaded and pileated woodpeckers. It is important to determine the species of fungi, extent of decay, and other special characteristics of trees used by woodpeckers for their nesting and roosting sites. My research also emphasizes population dynamics of snags used by woodpeckers for both nesting and foraging, and inoculation of pines and hardwoods with heartwood decaying fungi to create suitable decay conditions necessary for woodpecker cavity excavation. During the past 15 years I have studied relationships between southern pine beetles and red-cockaded woodpeckers to determine why bark beetles tend to infest active woodpecker cavity trees. My research efforts also include the ecology and habitat use of Louisiana pine snakes and timber rattlesnakes. Collaborative Research: We formed an interdisciplinary team to investigate the major losses of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees to single-tree infestations of southern pine beetles.Our goal is to determine why losses have increased in the recent past and develop techniques to reduce or eliminate such losses in the future. During the past five years up to 40% of the active cavity trees on some national forests have been lost to southern pine beetle infestation annually.Clearly, such losses cannot be sustained for much longer. Search for on-line publications by: Richard N. Conner

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