Matt R. Whiles
Professor
Zoology
Southern Illinois University
United States of America
Biography
Ph.D., University of Georgia
Research Interest
My research focuses on the role of consumer groups, particularly invertebrates, in ecosystem function. Most of my efforts are focused on streams and wetlands, but I am also interested in the role of invertebrates in terrestrial systems. I am particularly interested in the effects of disturbance on aquatic invertebrate communities and ecosystem function, as well as the role of invertebrates in recovery of ecosystem processes following disturbance. Current and recent projects include investigating the influence of hydrologic fluctuations on aquatic communities of central Platte River wetlands, quantifying the ecosystem-level consequences of stream-dwelling amphibian extirpations in the Central American highlands, and estimating secondary production and energy flow along a tallgrass prairie stream continuum. Applied aspects of my research include biological assessment of river and wetland management and restoration techniques.
Publications
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Rantala, H.M., A.M. Nelson, J.N. Fulgoni, M.R. Whiles, R.O. Hall, Jr., W.K. Dodds, P. Verburg, A.D. Huryn, C.M. Pringle, S.S. Kilham, K.R. Lips, C. Colon-Gaud, A.T. Rugenski, S.D. Peterson, K. Fritz, K.E. McLeran, and S. Connelly. 2015. Long-term changes in structure and function of a tropical headwater stream following a disease-driven amphibian decline. Freshwater Biology 60: 575-589.
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Jackson, K. E., M. R. Whiles, W. K. Dodds, J. D. Reeve, J. Vandermyde, and H. M. Rantala. 2015. Influence of patch-burn grazing on the ecological integrity of tallgrass prairie streams. Journal of Environmental Quality: 1148-1159
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Barnum, T. R., J. M. Drake, C. Colón-Gaud, A. T. Rugenski, T. C. Frauendorf, S. Connelly, S. S. Kilham, M. R. Whiles, K. R. Lips, and C. M. Pringle. 2015. Evidence for the persistence of food web structure after amphibian extirpation in a Neotropical stream. Ecology 96: 2106-2116.
