RESEARCH INTERESTS

Effects of fragmentation and introduced species on biodiversity of the southeastern United States; plant-animal interactions; biology of social insects; effects of herbivores on plant communities; behavioral ecology and conservation biology.

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2005 Seraphia Leyda University Teaching Fellow
• 2005 College of Sciences Faculty Teaching Award

PUBLICATIONS

• Burd, M. and J. J. Howard. 2005. Global optimization from suboptimal parts: Foraging sensu lato by leaf-cutting ants. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 59: 234-242.
• Burd, M. and J. J. Howard. 2005. Central-place foraging continues beyond the nest entrance: the underground performance of leaf-cutting ants. Animal Behaviour. 70: 737-744.
• Hull-Sanders, H. M. and J. J. Howard. 2003. Impact of Atta colombica colonies on understory vegetation and light availability in a Neotropical forest. Biotropica35: 441-445.
• Howard, J. J. 2001. Costs of trail construction and maintenance in the leaf-cutting ant Atta columbica. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology49: 348-356.