Professional Interests

I am interested in how community interactions are affected by the varying levels of disturbance (fire, invasive species, and human impacts) ,how these disturbances influence biodiversity and ecosystem services, and how one can restore biodiversity in impacted ecosystems.

Specifically, my interests are in:

Animal-Plant Interactions
Community Ecology
Insect Ecology
Invasive Species Management
Restoration Ecology
Wildlife-Habitat Interactions

For further information and experience, please see my Curriculum Vitae .

Current Research

Soil Modification as a Restoration Tool to Reduce Old World Bluestems
My current research is being conducted at the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, where I am working on restoring the native plant and arthropod communities in coastal prairies of South Texas that have been invaded by Old World bluestems ( Bothriochloa spp, Dichanthium spp, or OWB for short). Specifically, I am utilizing a variety of restoration tools that modify the chemistry and biology of soil properties (changes in soil pH, nutrient availability, and microbial interactions) to see if these treatments will alter competitive relationships between the native plant community and populations of Old World bluestem, and if these treatments can be used by landowners as a restoration tool to successfully reduce OWBs and increase native biodiversity on their landscapes.

Research began in the Summer of 2011, and is expected to continue until the Summer of 2013. The most up-to-date abstract of my current research is provided here. Funding is provided in part by Welder Wildlife Fellowship and external grants provided by my collaborators, South Texas Natives and Dr. Andrea Litt , my primary advisor.

Effects of Extreme Fire Management Practices on Arthropod Communities in South Texas
A side project at the Welder, research will be conducted to look at arthropod community assemblages as a result of extreme fire management practices to reduce invasive woody vegetation in coastal prairies. Grants are currently being sought for this project. For the current abstract, please click here .

Contact Information

Tel: (406) 994-2640 (Office)
Email: adam.mitchell1@msu.montana.edu
Location:28 AJM Johnson Hall (Office)
                231 AJM Johnson Hall (Lab)
                PO Box 173460
                Bozeman, MT 59717-3460

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