203 West roanoke st blacksburg, va 24061

Phone 540-231-7348 • E-mail vemrick@vt.edu

Verl R. Emrick III

Education
	B.S. Environmental Science, minor Biology 1994. University of North Carolina-Asheville (Asheville, N. C., 28801) Graduated with Honors as a Research Scholar.
Professional experience
	* May 2000- Present. Project Director Research Associate/Ecologist, Conservation Management Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.203 W. Roanoke Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061. Project manager responsible for developing, designing and implementing conservation research and natural resource management contracts for the Department of Defense. * September 1998 – May 2000: Research Associate/Ecologist, Conservation Management Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.203 W. Roanoke Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061. Project manager responsible for developing and implementing conservation research and natural resource management contracts for the Department of Defense. Responsible for writing an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center. Led efforts devoted to Vegetation Mapping, Forest Inventory, Ecological Monitoring, and Endangered Species Research and Compliance. *March 1995-August 1998: Post Graduate Research Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Community Ecologist/Botanist, United States Army Construction & Engineering Research Labs, P.O. Box 9005 Champaign, Illinois, 61826-9005. Responsibilities and research were focused in three areas: 1. Work with other Army corps. labs on a major effort to develop methods, protocols, and baseline data requirements for a vegetation mapping program for all Army installations. Responsible for authoring sections on “Field Methods” and mapping “Specifications and Costs”. Assisted individual installations in mapping plant communities through field work, data analysis and training of installation personnel. 2. Assist Army installations in developing and conducting ecological surveys and monitoring of Army installations by working with the Land Condition Trend Analysis (LCTA) program and natural resource offices at several installations 3. Conduct ecological research on endangered species. Summary of individual installation work: Fort Pickett, Virginia: Assisted with statistical analysis of vegetation community data. Developed and performed research to determine stem density and frequency of the federally endangered plant species Rhus michauxii. Developed and conducted field research on the community ecology of Rhus michauxii. Assisting in writing an endangered species management plan for Rhus michauxii, which included monitoring protocols based upon previous research. Performed an ecological assessment of Rhus michauxii colonies located in potential constructions sites. Quantico Marine Corp Base, Virginia: Assisted the LCTA program and the natural resource branch in developing a method to describe and monitor the distribution and occurrence of plant communities in training areas. In addition, a method to qualitatively index the amount of disturbance and erosion was developed. Fort Stewart, Georgia: Trained installation personnel in field methods used to map vegetation at Fort Stewart. Assisted in developing a method and gathering data for characterizing and comparing plant communities associated with active and inactive red cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) clusters. Fort Riley, Kansas: Participated in a joint research project with Argonne National Labs to map vegetation on a quarter quadrangle utilizing airborne, high resolution, multi-spectral remote sensors. Developed the techniques for sampling the vegetation on the ground for use in classifying imagery. Trained three field crews in data gathering techniques. Statistically evaluated and described the plant communities based on the data gathered in the field. Assisted researchers at Argonne in classifying the imagery. Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah: Trained installation personnel in vegetation mapping techniques. Assisted in field data collection and aerial photo interpretation. Statistically summarizing and classified phytosociological data through cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling. Developed a plant community classification system to be used to map the vegetative communities occurring throughout Dugway Proving Grounds. Camp Grayling, Michigan: Responsible for developing methods to gather field data to classify Landsat TM imagery for the purpose of monitoring changes in vegetative cover in response to changing training loads. Responsible for gathering field data in first year (1997) of monitoring program. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri: Assisted Fort Leonard Wood natural resource personnel in developing protocols to monitor the impacts military camping on the vegetation in and around bivouac sites. Developed vegetation monitoring protocols for monitoring the effect of new training regimes at Fort Leonard Wood. *December 1994 - March 1995: Botanist for Tallulah Bog Restoration Project. University of N.C.-Asheville (Environmental Science) 1 University Heights, Asheville, N.C. 28801. Responsible for the identification and cataloguing of unknown Angiosperms collected at research plots. Special emphasis was given to the genera of Dicanthelium & Panicum and Juncaceae and Cyperaceae families. *May 1994 - December 1994: Laboratory Coordinator (Botanist) for the Lands Condition Trend Analysis Program, Fish & Wildlife Management Office; Fort Pickett, Virginia. USAG Ft. Pickett, AFRC-FMP-PW, Blackstone, Virginia 23824. Developed a plant community classification scheme to aid resource managers. Set up a system of permanent, long-term phytosociological research plots to monitor how different land uses (civilian and military) affect plant communities. Conducted mammal trapping and avian surveys. Assisted in Development and implementation of a comprehensive research plan for the federally endangered plant species, Michaux's Sumac (Rhus michauxii). Assisted wildlife biologists in surveying the population numbers and habitat of the federal candidate bird species Bachman's Sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis). Provided support to Fish & Wildlife personnel in all aspects of management at the installation including: controlled burning, wildlife food planting, darting and tracking of deer in the trophy management areas, investigating possible occurrences of other federally protected species. *1992-1994: Ecological research project entitled "Phytogeography of the Craggy Mountains, Southern Appalachians." Senior investigator in research guided by Dr. Garrett Smathers. Research involved the location of 34 permanent, long term research plots along an elevational gradient in the Black & Craggy Mountains of North Carolina in order to describe the distribution and occurrence of plant communities. My responsibilities entailed: inventorying plant communities using phytosociological methods (releve analysis) and gathering abiotic data on: elevation, slope exposure, soil, soil, pH, bedrock geology and the age of stand. Data were classified and floral and environmental relationships investigated using multivariate techniques. *February 1994-May 1994: Tutor in Zoology. University of N.C.-Asheville (Biology) 1 University Heights, Asheville, N.C. 28801. Assisted students at UNC-A in studying vertebrate and invertebrate Zoology. Received an award from UNC-A for outstanding performance as a Biology tutor. *June 1993-August 1993: Paid internship at U.S.F.S. Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, 999 Coweeta Lab Road, Otto, N.C. 28763 Project was entitled "Soil CO^2 Evolution Across an Environmental and Species Gradients: Seasonal and Diurnal Trends." Used a portable infrared gas analyzer to measure the rates of CO^2 evolution over 24 hour periods from forest soils on three separate watersheds at Coweeta. Several biological and physical parameters were also measured such as: fine root weight, coarse root weight, soil temperature (diurnally), soil moisture, soil type, and Carbon to nitrogen ratio in both the soil and roots. Compiled the data on Quatro Pro and statistical analyses were performed using SAS. *June 1992-May 1993: Lab technician for the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI) University of N.C.-Asheville (Environmental Science) 1 University Heights, Asheville, N.C. 28801. Tested domestic and municipal water samples for their lead content using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and was required perform basic maintenance on the instrument. * December 1989-May 1990: National Atmospheric Deposition Program-Site Technician. University of N.C.-Asheville (Environmental Science) 1 University Heights, Asheville, N.C. 28801. Responsibilities were to collect wet and dry atmospheric deposition samples from Clingman's Peak in the Black Mountains of North Carolina and test wet deposition for pH and conductance. The data were recorded and samples of both the wet and dry deposition were sent to the National Atmospheric Deposition labs for verification. * May 1988- September 1988: Field technician. Acid deposition project (NAPAP) Mt. Mitchell N.C. N.C. State University Plant Pathology, Raleigh N.C Assisted in locating a series of 22 one-hectare plots using aerial photos to assess possible effects of atmospheric deposition on forest health. The job required the naming of all woody plants in the plots to species. Furthermore, each tree's canopy position, physiological condition (Adelgid infestation, epicormic sprouting, chlorotic foliage, etc.) DBH and age were assessed. Additional duties included: maintenance and care of red spruce (Picea rubens) and fraser fir (Abies picea) ozone and acid fog exposure chambers, along with general research site maintenance.
Reports and publications
	Emrick, Verl R. and Garrett Smathers. 1993. The Phytogeography of the Craggy Mountains, Southern Appalachians. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Conference on Undergraduate Research. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Vose, James, Barry Clinton and Verl Emrick. 1994. Soil CO^2Evolution Across Environmental and Species Gradients. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Central Hardwoods Conference. Emrick, Verl R. and Robert Proffitt. 1996. Summarization of the Land Condition Trends Analysis (LCTA) Program at Fort Pickett Military Reservation, for the Years 1994 & 1995. White paper Report. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: (Draft Report). 65 pp. Emrick, Verl R., Pamela Sydelko, & Patrick Guertin. 1996. “Phytosociological Investigations of the Plant communities in a Tracked Vehicle Maneuver Area at Fort Riley Kansas.” White paper Report. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: Natural Resources, Assessment and Management Division. Dubois, Paul, Verl R. Emrick, L. Jean O’Neil, Antisa C. Webb and Kent C. Jensen. October 1996. Survey of the Current Status of Vegetation Mapping On Selected Army Installations. Waterways Experiment Station Miscellaneous Paper EL-96-X. Hill, Alison, Jean O’Neil, Verl R. Emrick, Paul Dubois and Bill Woodson. 1996. Development of Guidelines for Vegetation Mapping on Army Lands. Proceedings of the 1996 Integrated Training Area Management Conference. Hill, Alison, Scott Tweddale, Verl R. Emrick, Paul Dubois and Bill Woodson. 1996. Development of Guidelines for Vegetation Mapping on Army Lands-Case Studies. Proceedings of the 1996 Integrated Training Area Management Conference. Dubois Paul, Verl Emrick, Alison Hill, Jean O’Neil, Chuck Racine, and Mike Campbell. 1997 Development and Testing of Guidelines for Vegetation Mapping on Army Lands. American Defense Preparedness Association. Emrick, Verl R. 1997. Density and Frequency of Rhus michauxii Stems in Relation to Community Type at Fort Pickett Military Reservation, Virginia. White paper Report. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: Natural Resources, Assessment and Management Division. Emrick Verl R. and Alison Hill. 1997. Density of Rhus michauxii Stems at Fort Pickett Military Reservation, Virginia. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: Natural Resources, Assessment and Management Division. Technical Report: 97/111. Emrick, Verl R. and Alison Hill. 1998. Plant Community Composition of Rhus michauxii Colonies at Fort Pickett Military Reservation, Virginia with an Ecological Assessment of Colonies Located on Ranges 15 and 16. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: Natural Resources, Assessment and Management Division. Technical Report: 98/ . Emrick, Verl R. and Alison Hill. 1999. Classification of Great Basin Plant Communities Occurring on Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. United States Army Construction and Engineering Research Labs: Natural Resources, Assessment and Management Division. Technical Report: 99/30. Emrick, Verl R. and Rebecca Murray (editors). 2000. Draft Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center, Virginia. Conservation Management Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Unpublished Report.. Emrick Verl R. and Jennifer Cooke. 2000 The Ecology and Population Biology of Michaux’s Sumac (Rhus michauxii), a Federally endangered species occurring at Fort Pickett-Manuever Training Center, Virginia. Conservation Management Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In Process Murray Rebecca L. , Tyler p Stanton, and Verl R. Emrick. 2000. Habitat Selection of the Bachman’s Sparrow at Fort Pickett-Maneuver Training Center Virginia. Conservation Management Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In Process. Stanton, Tyler P. , Rebecca L. Murray, Verl R. Emrick. 2000. Vocal Mimicry of Bachman’s Sparrow in the Piedmont of Southeast Virginia. Conservation anagement Institute-Military Lands Division College of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. In process. PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS Emrick, Verl R., James Vose and Barry Clinton. November 1993 “Soil CO^2Evolution Across Environmental Gradients, Seasonal and Diurnal Trends.” Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere. Gatlinburg, Tn. Emrick, Verl R. and Garrett Smathers. April 1994. “Phytogeography of the Craggy Mountains, Southern Appalachians.” Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Orlando, Fl. Emrick, Verl R. and Robert Profitt. April 1995. “The Community Ecology of Michaux’s Sumac (Rhus michauxii) a Globally Endangered Species Located at Fort Pickett, Virginia.” Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. Knoxville, Tn. Emrick, Verl R. and Alison Hill. April 1998 “Density and Frequency of Rhus michauxii Stems in Relation to Community Type at Fort Pickett Military Reservation, Virginia” Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting. Monroe, La. Emrick, Verl R. and Rebecca Murray. October 1999 “ Fire Management at Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center.” Annual meeting of the Virginia Wildlife Society. Blacksburg, Va. November 1999. Emrick, Verl R. and Mark Daniel. March 2000 “ The Use of Geographical Information Systems in Natural Resource and Environmental Management at Fort Pickett-MTC.” Annual National Guard National Environmental Workshop, St Louis, Mo. Emrick, Verl R. March 2000. “LCTA II at Fort Pickett-Maneuver Training Center.” Annual National Guard ITAM/RTLP Meeting. Camp Shelby-Maneuver Training Center, Mississippi. Emrick, Verl R., Robert K. Wheeler, and Major David Weisnicht. August 2000 “The Use Of Prescribed Fire to Improve Training Land at Fort Pickett-Maneuver Training Center.” 9^th Annual Integrated Training Area Management Conference. Richmond, Va. Emrick, Verl R. , D. Morgan Williams and Major David Weisnicht. August 2000. “The Fort Pickett-Maneuver Training Center Military Mobility Land Classification System.” 9^th Annual Integrated Training Area Management Conference. Richmond, Va. Emrick Verl R. August 2000. Development of LCTA II at Fort Pickett-Maneuver Training Center.” 9^th Annual Integrated Training Area Management Conference. Richmond, Va.
Professional memberships
	-Association of Southeastern Biologists -North Carolina Academy of Sciences -Ecological Society of America -Southern Appalachian Botanical Society -National Military Fish and Wildlife Association
Awards received
	Distinction as a University Research Scholar Sigma Xi Research Honor Society Oak Ridge National Labs Post Graduate Research Award Outstanding Tutor in Biology Award from University of NC-Asheville
Skills

-Adept at the use of taxonomic keys for the identification of flora and fauna. Skilled in the identification of floral and faunal species in the southern Appalachians, southern Piedmont, Southeastern coastal plain and great basin desert, and Ozark mountains Familiar with Chihuahuan and Sonoran desert, Rocky Mountain, Flint Hills, and Puerto Rican flora and fauna. Some experience in identification of Caribbean reef biota.

-Skilled in the identification and delineation of Plant Associations occurring in the eastern United States and great basin desert.

-Familiar with many of the Plant Associations occurring in the Western United States.

- Proficient with the use of Wordperfect, Microsoft Excel, MS word, Ms Access, Quatro Pro, Dbase and other IBM compatible PC software.

-Experienced with the following ecological and statistical software: Biodiv 5.1, Systat, PC-Ord, SAS, TWINSPAN and Syntax 4.1 (FORTRAN programs).

- Experienced with the use of GIS systems ARC-Info and ARC-VIEW

-Skilled in the use of compass, altimeter, topography maps, meter tape and other equipment used in the location and survey of ecological research plots in the field.

-Skilled in the use of Global Positioning Systems and Pathfinder Software.

-Experienced in the experimental design, data gathering and statistics of ecological experiments and surveys.

-Accomplished in writing and presenting results of scientific research.

-Skilled at public speaking.

-Extensive experience in the operation lab equipment including: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Portable Infrared Gas Analyzer, and Scanning Electron Microscope.

-Skilled in the use of light microscopes for the identification of flora and invertebrate fauna.