C. Smoot Major

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Plant & Animal Community Ecology
Plant community structure and taxonomy, conservation ecology, invasive exotic biology, biodiversity, and bioindicators:

1.-Examination of the temporal and spatial variations in physicochemical parameters and land use patterns of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta as they relate to macroalgal and aquatic plant community composition. (Collaborator: K. M. Major, University of South Alabama).

2.-Assessment and development of a comprehensive treatment of the exotic and invasive plant and animal taxa occurring in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Alabama, with specific emphasis on species known to have significant impacts on coastal ecology. (Collaborators: K. M. Major, University of South Alabama; J.W. McCreadie, University of South Alabama; P.H. Adler, Clemson University; The Nature Conservancy of Alabama; B.A.Vittor & Assoc., Inc.)

OTHER ENDEAVORS

1.-Restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the University of South Alabama Herbarium
(Collaborators: B.J. Axsmith, University of South Alabama; K.M. Major, University of South Alabama)

2.-Atlas of Flowering Plants of Alabama (member of atlas committee)

3.- Breeding Bird Atlas (contributor)

4.- Alabama Exotic Plant Council – (Chair – Research & Inventory Committee)

5.- Alabama Mississippi Rapid Assessment Team

6.- The Nature Conservancy – Grand Bay Planning Team

MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS & TECHNICAL REPORTS

-Campbell C. S., W. A. Wright, M. Cox, T. F. Vining, C. S. Major, and M. Arsenault. 2004. Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) in Picea (Pinaceae): Sequence divergence and structure. (In review) Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.

-Major, C. S. 1993. Hybridization between Picea mariana and P. rubens (Pinaceae) in Maine: Quantitative morphology and experimental pollinations. Master's Thesis. University of Maine, Orono.

-Major, C. S. 2000. Plant Communities – A New Tool for Conservation in Tennessee. The Tennessee Conservationist. State of Tennessee Press.

TECHNICAL REPORTS

-Major, C. S. 2002. Conservation Strategy for Three high Elevation Grassy Balds in the Southern Blue Ridge, Cherokee National Forest. 38 pp.

-Major, C. S. 2002. Conservation Strategy for Narrow Endemic, Sedum nevii, in Cherokee National Forest. 33 pp.

-Major, C. S. 2001. Evaluation of select sites to determine fire history in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. Campbell and Scott Co’s. Tennessee. 98 pp.

-Major, C. S. et. al. 2000. Ecological survey of thirty-two select sites in the Cherokee National Forest. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage Report to the Cherokee National Forest. 468 pp.

-Major, C. S. and A. S. Shea. 2000. Inventory and Status report for the federally endangered species Pityopsis ruthii (Ruth’s Golden Aster) on the Hiawasee River, Polk Co. Tennessee. 57pp.

-McCoy , R. A., D. I. Withers and C. S. Major, 2000. A Guide to the Rare Vertebrates of Tennessee
For the New Millennium. Tennessee Natural Heritage Program

-Lauber, T. B., N. Craig, C. S. Major and R. J. O’Connor. 1993. A compilation of population trend data for neotropical migrants in Maine. Report for workshop on Neotropical Migrant Status in Maine for Maine Dept. of Natural Resources.

CURRENT FUNDING

"The Coastal Counties Exotic Plant and Animal Inventory Project"
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Alabama DCNR - (Co-PI's: K.M. Major & J. W. McCreadie; 2003)

"A Preliminary Survey of Macroalgal and AquaticPlant Distribution in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta"
Environmental Protection Agency/Alabama Center for Estuarine Studies - (Co-PI: K.M. Major; 2002)

CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Brandon Gill
Ab Pate
Suzanne Rouse
Shannon Smith
Anya Mallory

COURSES TAUGHT