John G. Blake, Associate Professor, Biology
John G. Blake, Associate Professor, BiologyB.A. Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona. May 1974.
M.S. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada. May 1977.
Ph.D. University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. January 1983.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the structure and organization of bird communities, in both tropical (e.g. Ecuador) and temperate (Missouri) forests. I am particularly interested in the impact of resource abundance (e.g., fruit) on temporal and spatial variation in bird populations, spatial patterns of diversity, and effects of habitat alterations (e.g., forest fragmentation, prescribed burning ) on bird populations. The current focus of tropical work is at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador. There we have established two 100+-ha plots where we will be conducting a variety of studies on distribution patterns of birds. Students in my lab represent a range of countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, and USA.; they are conducting research on a variety of topics, including: avian community ecology along elevational and latitudinal gradients (Argentina), bird communities in fragmented forests (Chile), biogeography and phylogeny of Myioborus (Central and South America), foraging ecology of cracids (Peru), and bird populations of varzea and terre firme habitats (Ecuador).
Selected Publications (Full list)
2002 - Blake, J. G., and B. A. Loiselle. Habitat use, movements, and survival of manakins (Pipridae) in second-growth and old-growth forests. Auk 119: in press.
2001 - Blake, J. G., and B. A. Loiselle. Bird assemblages in second-growth and old-growth forests, Costa Rica: Perspectives from mist nets and point counts. Auk 118:304-326. Pdf file
2001 - Graham, C. H., and J. G. Blake. The influence of patch and landscape level factors on bird assemblages in a fragmented tropical landscape. Ecological Applications 11: 1709-1721. Pdf file
2001 - Rougès, M., and J. G. Blake. Tasas de captura y dietas de aves del sotobosque en el Parque Biológico Sierra de San Javier, Tucumán. El Hornero 16:7-15. Pdf file
2001 - Loiselle, B. A., and J. G. Blake. Potential consequences of extinction of frugivorous birds for shrubs of a tropical wet forest. Pp. 397-405 in D. J. Levey, W. R. Silva, and M. Galetti (eds.), Frugivory and seed dispersal: perspectives of biodiversity and conservation. CAB International Press, Cambridge. Pdf file
2000 - Blake, J. G., and B. A. Loiselle. Diversity of birds along an elevational gradient in the Cordillera Central, Costa Rica. Auk 117:663-686. Abstract
2000 - Blake, J. G., and B. Schuette. Restoration of an oak forest in east-central Missouri: early effects of prescribed burning on woody vegetation. Forest Ecology and Management 139:109-126. Pdf file
1999 - Loiselle, B.A., and J. G. Blake. Dispersal of melastome seeds by fruit-eating birds of tropical forest understory. Ecology 80:330-336. Abstract
1998 - Calvo, L., and J. G. Blake. Bird diversity and abundance on two different shade coffee plantations in Guatemala. Bird Conservation International 8:297-308. Pdf file
1998 - Blake, J. G., and M. R. Rougès. Variation in capture rates of understory birds in El Rey National Park, northwestern Argentina. Ornitología Neotropical 8:185-193. Pdf file
1997 - Renjifo, L. M., G. P. Servat, J. M. Goerck, B. A. Loiselle, and J. G. Blake. Patterns of species composition and endemism in the northern neotropics: a case for conservation of montane avifaunas. Ornithological Monographs 48:577-594.
1996 - Hanowski, J.M., G. J. Niemi, and J. G. Blake. Responses of breeding and migrating birds to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Ecological Applications 6:910-919. Abstract
1995 - Faaborg, J., M. Brittingham, T. Donovan, and J. Blake. Habitat fragmentation in the in the temperate zone. Pages 357-380 in T. E. Martin and D. M. Finch, eds., Ecology and management of neotropical migratory birds. Oxford University Press, NY.
1995 - Petit, D. R., J. F. Lynch, R. L. Hutto, J. G. Blake, and R. B. Waide. Habitat use and conservation in the neotropics. Pages 145-197 in T. E. Martin and D. M. Finch, eds., Ecology and management of neotropical migratory birds. Oxford University Press, NY.
1994 - Blake, J. G., J. M. Hanowski, G. J. Niemi, and P. T. Collins. Annual variation in bird populations of mixed conifer - northern hardwoods forests. Condor 96:381-399. Abstract
1994 - Loiselle, B. A., and J. G. Blake. Annual variation in birds and plants of a tropical second-growth woodland. Condor 96:368-380. Abstract
1993 - Loiselle, B. A., and J. G. Blake. Spatial dynamics of understory avian frugivores and fruiting plants in lowland wet tropical forest. Vegetatio 107/108:177-189. Abstract
1992 - Blake, J. G. Temporal variation in point counts of birds in a lowland wet forest in Costa Rica. Condor 94:265-275. Abstract
1992 - Blake, J. G. and B. A. Loiselle. Habitat use by neotropical migrants at La Selva Biological Station and Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. Pages 257-272 in J. M. Hagan, III and D. W. Johnston, eds., Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Migrant Landbirds. Smithsonian Insitution Press, Washington, D. C.
1992 - Loiselle, B. A., and J. G. Blake. Population variation in a tropical bird community: implications for conservation. BioScience 42:838-845.
1991 - Blake, J. G. Nested subsets and the distribution of birds on isolated woodlots. Conservation Biology 5:58-66.
1991 - Blake, J. G., and B. A. Loiselle. Variation in resource abundance affects capture rates of birds in three lowland habitats in Costa Rica. Auk 108:114-127. Abstract
1991 - Loiselle, B. A., and J. G. Blake. Temporal variation in birds and fruits along an elevational gradient in Costa Rica. Ecology 72:180-193. Abstract
1990 - Blake, J. G., F. G. Stiles, and B. A. Loiselle. Birds of La Selva Biological Station: habitat use, trophic composition, and migrants. Pp. 161-182 in A.
Gentry, ed. Four Neotropical Rainforests. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut.
Post-doctoral Associate
Pedro Blendinger (Ph.D., Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina). Effectiveness of seed dispersal by birds in a wet lowland forest of Ecuador. (pblendin@yahoo.com.ar)
Current Graduate Students
Adrián Azpiroz (Uruguay), Ph.D. Neotropical bird conservation. (abavg5@admiral.umsl.edu)
Cintia Cornelius (Chile), Ph.D. Effects of forest fragmentation on birds of south temperate forests. (cc697@admiral.umsl.edu)
Iván Jiménez (Colombia), Ph.D. Movements and exploitation of fruit patches by Razor-billed Currasows. (s1023355@admiral.umsl.edu)
Marcos Maldonado-Coehlo (Brasil), Ph.D. Bird communities in fragments of Atlantic forests, Brasil. (mmc8v5@admiral.umsl.edu)
Lucio Malizia (Argentina), Ph.D. Bird communities in premontane and montane forests of northwestern Argentina - ecology and conservation; scale-dependence of bird diversity. (s1036697@admiral.umsl.edu)
Jorge Pérez-Eman (Venezuela), Ph.D. Molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of the genus Myioborus (Aves, Parulinae) (s973011@admiral.umsl.edu)
Adriana Rodríguez Ferraro (Venezuela), Ph.D. Conservation and ecology of neotropical birds. (arppf@admiral.umsl.edu)
Mercedes Rougès (Argentina), Ph.D. Bird community composition along an elevational gradient of montane forests in Argentina. (s967934@admiral.umsl.edu)
Brandt Ryder (USA), M.S. Ecological relationships and spatial distribution patterns of manakins in lowland wet forest of Ecuador. (tbrb66@admiral.umsl.edu)
Former Students
Frank Wolff (Luxembourg), M.S. 2001. Vertebrate ecology in caatinga: A. Distribution of wildlife in relation to water. B. Diet of pumas (P. concolor) and relative abundance of felids. (s1022583@admiral.umsl.edu)
Luzmilla Arroyo (Bolivia), M.S., 2001. Plant communities in continuous forest and isolated forest patches on the Serranía de Huanchaca, Bolivia. (luzmilaarroyo@hotmail.com)
Catherine Graham (USA), Ph.D., 2000. Individual, species and community level responses of birds to forest fragmentation in southern Mexico. (cgraham@uclink.berkeley.edu)
Gillian Bowser (USA), Ph.D., 1998 (co-advisor). Genetics, geographics, and prairie dogs: a landscape model of prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) dispersal.
Lucio Malizia (Argentina), 1998. Variacion estacional de la avifauna en un relicto de selvas pedemontañas de la Provincia de Tucumán. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. (co-director, Proyecto de Beca de Iniciación del Consejo de Investigaciones de la UNT).
Lorena Calvo (Guatemala), M.S. 1997. Bird species diversity within different systems of coffee plantations in Guatemala. (lcalvo@guate.net) Executive Director, Parque Zoologico la Aurora, Guatemala City; Director, Center for Conservation of Biodiversity in Guatemala . Lorena is planning to organize a meeting with Central American educators to set up the Central American Association of Environmental Educators. She also is part of the committee that is trying to establish the National Botanical Garden.
Teresita Lomáscolo (Argentina). 1997. Interacciones entre mirtaceas arboreas y aves frugivoras en un gradiente altitudinal de las selvas de montaña. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, (co-director, Proyecto de Beca de Iniciacíon, CONICET).
José Tello (Peru), M.S. 1996. Lekking behavior of the Round-tailed Manakin (Pipra chloromeros) and patterns of advertisement call evolution in Pipra erythrocephala clade.
Jorge Perez-Eman (Venezuela), M.S., 1995. A comparison of bird and bat community structure in a tropical lowland rain forest of Venezuela.
Grace Servat (Peru), M.S., 1995. Availability and use of food resources by two species of Automolus (Aves, Furnariidae)
