
Roger W. Perry
Research Wildlife Biologist
P.O. Box 1270
Hot Springs, AR 71902
Phone: 501-623-1180 x108Hot Springs, AR 71902
roger.perry@usda.gov
Current Research
- Bat roosting and foraging in the Interior Highlands
- Eastern spotted skunk ecology and management
- Effects of pine woodland restoration on wildlife communities
- Effects of fire on forest bats
- Long-term responses of forest birds to different silviculture methods.
Research Interests
- Ecology of bats in the Interior Highlands and Gulf Coastal Plain
- Community responses to woodland restoration
- Fire effects on vertebrate populations
- Early successional habitats
- Climate change effects on wildlife distributions and ecology
- Effects of disturbance and silviculture practices on birds and mammals
Education
- Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology
- Oklahoma State University
- B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Ecology
- University of Missouri-Columbia
- A.S. in Drafting and Design Engineering Technology
- Missouri Southern State University
- M.S. in Zoology
- University of Arkansas- Fayetteville
Featured Publications and Products
- Perry, Roger W. 2013. A review of factors affecting cave climates for hibernating bats in temperate North America.
- Perry, Roger W. 2012. A review of fire effects on bats and bat habitat in the eastern oaks region.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2013. Long-term responses of disturbance-associated birds after different timber harvests.
- Perry, Roger W. 2018. Migration and recent range expansion of Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) in the United States.
Publications
- Garcia, Carlos J.; Ray, David A.; Perry, Roger W.; Stevens, Richard D. 2023. Seasonal differences in day-roost selection by northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis) in Louisiana and a meta-analytical comparison across North America.
- Perry, Roger W.; Jordan, Phillip N. 2022. Changes in the forest bat community after arrival of white-nose syndrome in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.
- Kearny, Valerie M.; Perry, Roger W.; Risch, Thomas S.; Rolland, Virginie . 2022. Distribution and roost site selection of eastern small-footed bats (Myotis leibii) in mountains of west-central Arkansas.
- LaRose, Summer H.; MacPherson, Maggie P.; Lesmeister, Damon B.; Mundy Hackett, H. ; Perry, Roger W.; Blake Sasse, D. ; Gompper, Matthew E. 2022. Predicted distribution of plains spotted skunk in Arkansas and Missouri.
- Perry, Roger W.; Sasse, D. Blake; Perkins, J. Clint; Sharp, Nicholas W. 2021. Distribution and relative abundance of eastern spotted skunk records across their range.
- True, Michael C.; Perry, Roger W.; Ford, William M. 2021. Forecasting the distribution of a range-expanding bat reveals future response to climate change and habitat.
- Cheng, Tina L.; Reichard, Jonathan D.; Coleman, Jeremy T. H.; Weller, Theodore J.; Thogmartin, Wayne E.; Reichert, Brian E.; Bennett, Alyssa B.; Broders, Hugh G.; Campbell, Joshua ; Etchison, Katherine ; Feller, Daniel J.; Geboy, Richard ; Hemberger, Traci ; Herzog, Carl ; Hicks, Alan C.; Houghton, Sandra ; Humber, Jessica ; Kath, Joseph A.; King, R. Andrew; Loeb, Susan C.; Massé, Ariane ; Morris, Katrina M.; Niederriter, Holly ; Nordquist, Gerda ; Perry, Roger W.; Reynolds, Richard J.; Sasse, D. Blake; Scafini, Michael R.; Stark, Richard C.; Stihler, Craig W.; Thomas, Steven C.; Turner, Gregory G.; Webb, Shevenell ; Westrich, Bradford J.; Frick, Winifred F. 2021. The scope and severity of white‐nose syndrome on hibernating bats in North America.
- Flinn, Joshua R.; Perry, Roger W.; Robbins, Lynn W. 2021. Winter roosting by eastern red bats in Ozark Mountain forests of Missouri.
- Taylor, Daniel A. R.; Perry, Roger W.; Miller, Darren A.; Ford, W. Mark. 2020. Forest management and bats.
- Stevens, Richard D.; Garcia, Carlos J.; Madden, Macy A.; Gregory, Beau B.; Perry, Roger W. 2020. Seasonal changes in the active bat community of the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana.
- Perry, Roger ; Jordan, Phillip N. 2020. Survival and persistence of tricolored bats hibernating in Arkansas mines.
- Tumlison, R. ; Connior, M.B. ; Sasse, D.B. ; Robison, H.W. ; Trauth, S.E. ; Higdon, S.D. ; Baer, L.K. ; Baer, Z. ; Stinson, R. ; Carson, D. ; Inebnit, T. ; Lewis, L. ; Perry, R.W. ; Redman, R. . 2020. Vertebrate natural history notes from Arkansas, 2020.
- Sasse, D. Blake; Scherman, Stacy J.; Perry, Roger W.; Risch, Thomas S. 2019. Morphological discrimination of gray bats and southeastern bats.
- Perry, Roger W.; Rudolph, D. Craig; Thill, Ronald E. 2018. Capture-site characteristics for eastern spotted skunks in mature forests during summer.
- Perry, Roger W.; Jenkins, Julianna M.A.; Thill, Ronald E.; Thompson, Frank R., III. 2018. Long-term effects of different forest regeneration methods on mature forest birds.
- Hromada, Steven J.; Howey, Christopher A.F.; Dickinson, Matthew B.; Perry, Roger W.; Roosenburg, Willem M.; Gienger, C.M. . 2018. Response of reptile and amphibian communities to the reintroduction of fire in an oak/hickory forest.
- Perry, Roger W.; Jordan, Phillip N.; McDaniel, Virginia L. 2017. Effects of repeated burning on snag abundance in shortleaf pine woodlands.
- McDaniel, Virginia L.; Perry, Roger W.; Koerth, Nancy E.; Guldin, James M. 2016. Evaluation of FOFEM fuel loading and consumption estimates in pine-oak forests and woodlands of the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, USA.
- Silvis, A.; Perry, Roger; Ford, W.M. 2016. Relationships of three species of bats impacted by white-nose syndrome to forest condition and management.
- Perry, Roger W.; Brandebura, Stephen C.; Risch, Thomas S. 2016. Selection of tree roosts by male Indiana bats during the autumn swarm in the Ozark Highlands, USA.
- Perry, Roger W.; McDaniel, Virginia L. 2015. Temperatures below leaf litter during winter prescribed burns: implications for litter-roosting bats.
- Kroll, Andrew J.; Ren, You; Jones, Jay E.; Giovanini, Jack; Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; White, Don, Jr..; Wigley, T. Bently. 2014. Avian community composition associated with interactions between local and landscape habitat attributes.
- Greenberg, Cathryn H.; Perry, Roger W.; Franzreb, Kathleen E.; Loeb, Susan C.; Saenz, Daniel; Rudolph, D. Craig; Winters, Eric; Fucik, E.M.; Kwiatkowski, M.A.; Parresol, B.R.; Austin, J.D.; Tanner, G.W. 2014. Climate change and wildlife in the southern United States: potential effects and management options.
- McNab, W. Henry; Spetich, Martin A.; Perry, Roger W.; Haywood, James D.; Laird, Shelby Gull; Clark, Stacy L.; Hart, Justin L.; Torreano, Scott J.; Buchanan, Megan L. 2014. Climate-induced migration of native tree populations and consequences for forest composition.
- Sasse, D.B.; Caviness, M.L.; Harvey, M.J.; Jackson, J.L.; Jordan, P.N.; Klotz, T.L.; Moore, P.R.; Perry, R.W.; Redman, R.K.; Risch, T.S.; Saugey, D.A.; Wilhide, J.D. 2014. New records and notes on the ecology of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in Arkansas.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2013. Comparison of snag densities among regeneration treatments in mixed pine-hardwood forests.
- Perry, Roger W. 2013. Potential energy expenditure by litter-roosting bats associated with temperature under leaf litter during winter.
- Perry, Roger W. 2013. White-nose syndrome in bats: an overview of current knowledge for land managers.
- Perry, Roger W. 2012. A review of fire effects on bats and bat habitat in the eastern oak region.
- Perry, Roger W.; Rudolph, D. Craig; Thill, Ronald E. 2012. Effects of short-rotation controlled burning on amphibians and reptiles in pine woodlands.
- McDaniel, Virginia L.; Guldin, James M.; Perry, Roger W. 2012. Estimating fuel consumption during prescribed fires in Arkansas.
- Amelon, Sybill; Brooks, Robert T.; Glaeser, Jessie; Friggens, Megan; Lindner, Daniel; Loeb, Susan C.; Lynch, Ann; Minnis, Drew; Perry, Roger; Rowland, Mary M.; Tomosy, Monica; Weller, Ted. 2012. U.S. Forest Service Research and Development (USFS R/D) national science strategy on White Nose Syndrome (WNS).
- Sasse, D. B.; Saugey, D. A.; Perry, R. W. 2011. Distribution, conservation and current status of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in Arkansas.
- Perry, Roger W. 2011. Fidelity of bats to forest sites revealed from mist-netting recaptures.
- Spetich, Martin A.; Perry, Roger W.; Harper, Craig A.; Clark, Stacy L. 2011. Fire in Eastern Hardwood Forests through 14,000 Years.
- Greenberg, Cathryn H.; Perry, Roger W.; Harper, Craig A.; Levey, Douglas J.; McCord, John M. 2011. The role of young, recently disturbed upland hardwood forest as high quality food patches.
- Perry, Roger W.; Wigley, T. Bently; Melchiors, M. Anthony; Thill, Ronald E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Miller, Darren A. 2011. Width of riparian buffer and structure of adjacent plantations influence occupancy of conservation priority birds.
- Perry, Roger W.; Carter, S. Andrew; Thill, Ronald E. 2010. Temporal patterns in capture rate and sex ratio of forest bats in Arkansas.
- Perry, Roger W.; Saugey, David A.; Crump, Betty G. 2010. Winter roosting ecology of silver-haired bats in an Arkansas forest.
- Perry, Roger W; Rudolph, D. Craig; Thill, Ronald E. 2009. Reptile and amphibian responses to restoration of fire-maintained pine woodlands.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2008. Diurnal roosts of male evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in diversely managed pine-hardwood forests.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2008. Roost selection by big brown bats in forests of Arkansas: importance of pine snags and open forest habitats to males.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; Leslie, David M., Jr. 2008. Scale-dependent effects of landscape structure and composition on diurnal roost selection by forest bats.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2007. Roost selection by male and female northern long-eared bats in a pine-dominated landscape.
- Mitchell, Michael S.; Rutzmoser, Scott H.; Wigley, T. Bently; Loehle, Craig; Gerwin, John A.; Keyser, Patrick D.; Lancia, Richard A.; Perry, Roger W.; Reynolds, Christopher L.; Thill, Ronald E.; Weih, Robert; White, Don; Wood, Petra Bohall. 2006. Relationships between avian richness and landscape structure at multiple scales using multiple landscapes.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2005. Small-mammal responses to pine regeneration treatments in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Peitz, David G. 2004. Initial response of individual soft mast-producing plants to different forest regeneration methods in the Ouachita Mountains.
- Tappe, Philip A.; Thill, Ronald E.; Peitz, David G.; Perry, Roger W. 2004. Early succession bird communities of group-selection openings and clearcuts in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
- Thill, Ronald E.; Perry, Roger W.; Koerth, Nancy E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Peitz, David G. 2004. Initial Wildlife Habitat Responses to Alternative Forest Regeneration Methods in the Ouachita Mountains.
- Thill, Ronald E.; Perry, Roger W.; Koerth, Nancy E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Peitz, David G. 2004. Initial bird responses to alternative pine regeneration methods in Arkansas and Oklahoma: preliminary findings.
- Thill, Ronald E.; Perry, Roger W.; Koerth, Nancy E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Peitz, David G. 2004. Initial small mammal responses to alternative pine regeneration methods in Arkansas and Oklahoma: preliminary findings.
- Mangini, Alex C.; Perry, Roger W. 2004. The Insect Guild of White Oak Acorns: Its Effect on Mast Quality in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Peitz, David G. 2004. The Relationship Between Basal Area and Hard Mast Production in the Ouachita Mountains.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 2003. Initial Effects of Reproduction Cutting Treatments on Residual Hard Mast Production in the Ouachita Mountains.
- Perry, Roger W.; Brown, Raymond E.; Rudolph, D. Craig. 2001. Mutual mortality of great horned owl and southern black racer: a potential risk of raptors preying on snakes.
- Peitz, David G.; Tappe, Philip A.; Thill, Ronald E.; Perry, Roger W.; Melchiors, M. Anthony; Wigley, T. Bently. 2001. Non-target captures during small mammal trapping with snap traps.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; Peitz, David G.; Tappe, Philip A. 1999. Effects of different silvicultural systems on initial soft mast production.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E. 1999. Estimating mast production: an evaluation of visual surveys and comparison with seed traps using white oaks.
- Perry, Roger W.; Thill, Ronald E.; Tappe, Philip A.; Melchiors, M. Anthony. 1997. Presence of hantavirus in small mammals of the Ouachita Mountains.
Research Highlights
- Burning the Leafy Blanket: Winter Prescribed Fire and Litter Roosting Bats (2015)
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Rather than hibernating in caves, some bat species in the southeastern U.S. get through the coldest parts of winter by roosting under fallen leaves, twigs, and other dead plant material on the forest floor. Although this leaf litter protects bats from the cold, it could also put them at risk of being injured or killed by prescribed fires.
- Forest birds benefit from a range of timber harvest strategies (2018)
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Timber harvesting affects birds that rely on mature forests for breeding, foraging, and other purposes. A long-term Forest Service study tracked bird responses to timber harvesting for 16 years. Intensive harvests such as clearcuts or shelterwood favor birds that are adapted to disturbance. Less intensive harvests such as single-tree or group selection retain features that favor mature forest birds.
- Guidelines to Minimize Risk of White-Nose Syndrome to Bats through Forest Management (2016)
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During the course of forest operations, managers make many choices on the timing and method of improvements. The results of these choices affect habitat for wildlife, including bats. Understanding the relationships between bats and forest habitat provides direction to make forest operations choices that minimize a disease risk for bats.
- Riparian zone width, pine plantation age, and status of conservation priority birds (2011)
- Selecting 16 different bird species of conservation importance in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, we used models to look at the likelihood of each species occupying riparian zones of different widths. New to these types of studies, we also related occupancy to both riparian zone width and the age of surrounding pine plantation forests. We found diverse responses among species to width of buffers and age classes of adjacent plantations; some species benefited from wide buffers, while others benefitted from narrow buffers. Most species did not appear affected by structure of surrounding plantations.