Research Program                                  

Current research interests include the relationship of hydrology and hydroperiod to wetland ecosystem structure and function, classification and assessment of wetlands, and the effects of rising sea level on coastal wetlands. Participates in research at the Virginia Coast Reserve site of the Long Term Ecological Research program.  Was a Fulbright Fellow in Argentina and continues to work with colleagues there. Continues to work with the state of North Carolina on approaches to evaluate ecological condition of ecosystems related to restoration.

Service                                

Served as president of the Society of Wetland Scientists and received the society's Merit Award in 1998. Chairs the Publications Committee of SWS. Chaired the Public Policy Review committee of the American Institute of Biological Science, was a member of the National Research Council committee on Wetland Characterization, and chaired the NRC committee on Riparian Zones. Has provided testimony before U.S. Senate and House committees on the identification of wetlands. Serves on the Habitat and Water Quality Advisory Committee of the Marine Fisheries Commission.

Courses Taught

BIOL 4300, 4301. Ecosystem Ecology and Lab

BIOL 5400, 5401. Wetland Ecology and Management, Wetland Ecology Laboratory

BIOL 4550, 6850. Restoration Ecology

Recent Publications

Journal Articles:

Kroes, D. and M. M. Brinson. 2004. Occurrence of riverine wetlands on floodplains along a climatic gradient. Wetlands 24:167-177.

Rheinhardt, R., M. Brinson, R. Brooks, M. McKenney-Easterling, J. Masina-Rubbo, J. Hite, and B. Armstrong. 2007. Development of a reference-based method for identifying and scoring indicators of condition for Coastal Plain riparian reaches. Ecological Indicators 7:339-361

Rheinhardt, R.D., M.M. Brinson, R.R. Christian, K.H. Miller, and G.F. Meyer. 2007. A reference-based framework for evaluating the ecological condition of stream networks in small watersheds. Wetlands 27:524-542.

Pratolongo, P., P. Kandus, and M. M. Brinson. 2007. Net aboveground primary production and soil properties of floating and attached freshwater tidal marshes in the Rio de la Plata estuary, Argentina. Estuaries and Coasts 30:618-626.

Rheinhardt, R., M. McKenney-Easterling, M. Brinson, J. Masina-Rubbo, R. Brooks, D. Whigham, D. O'Brien, J. Hite, and B. Armstrong.2007. Canopy composition and forest structure provide restoration targets for low-order riparian ecosystems. Restoration Ecology 17:51-59.

Smith, L.M., N.H. Euliss, Jr., D.A. Wilcox, and M.M. Brinson. 2008. Application of a geomorphic and temporal perspective to wetland management in North America. Wetlands 28:563-577.

Pratolongo, P., P. Kandus, and M.M. Brinson. 2008. Net aboveground primary production and biomass dynamics of Schonoplectus californicus (Cyperaceae) marshes growing under different hydrological conditions. Darwiniana 46:258-269.

Book Chapters:

Brinson, M.M. 2006. Cómo puede la ciencia contribuir al manejo del los ecosistemas ribereños (How can science contribute to the management of riparian ecosystems?), pp. 27 – 42. In J. Peatán and J. Cappato (compilers). Humedales Fluviales de América del Sur: Hacia un manejo sustentable. Proteger Ediciones, Argentina.

Brinson, M.M. 2006. Chapter 12. Consequences for wetlands of a changing global environment. Pages 436-461. In D.P. Batzer and R.R. Sharitz (editors). Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.

Brinson, M. M., B. E. Bedford, B. Middleton, and J.T.A. Verhoeven. 2008. Temperate freshwater wetlands: Response to gradients in moisture regime, human alterations and economic status. In N. Polunin (editor). Aquatic Ecosystems – Trends and Global Prospects. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Brinson, M.M. 2009. In press. Chapter 21. The United States HGM (hydrogeomorphic) approach. In E. Maltby. Handbook of Wetlands. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Pratolongo, P., A. Plater, J. Kirby, and M. Brinson. 2009, in press. Temperate coastal wetlands: morphology, ecology and distribution. Pages 89-118 in G. Perillo, E. Wolanski, D. Cahoon, and M. Brinson (editors). Coastal Wetlands: An Integrated Ecosystem Approach. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.