Research Statement:

As an ecologist, my research interests are fairly broad. In general, though, I am interested in how landscape characteristics affect the way consumers forage, and how this affects the composition and distribution of plant communities. Although I am not system- or species- focused, I get especially excited about research with practical applications in conservation and restoration. While a PhD student at the University of Cincinnati, I worked with both county land managers and private land preservations to design a study that examined the impacts of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on native plant, litter, and soil systems. Currently, I am examining the impacts of Amur honeysuckle on the survival of native seeds in the soil seedbank, and the effects of foraging by the invasive garden snail (Helix aspersa) on the germination and success of native seeds. Most of my research experience is in Southeastern riparian forests (as an MS student at the University of Georgia) and Midwestern upland forests. However, I have also been fortunate enough to have been directly involved with research in longleaf and mixed pine forests, temperate lakes and streams, wetlands, Southeastern grasslands and old-fields, and even Caribbean reefs.

Christopher, C. C. and G. W. Barrett. 2007. Double captures of Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mouse) and Ochrotomys nuttalli (golden mouse). Southeastern Naturalist 6:407-412. [Reprint]

Christopher, C. C. and G. N. Cameron. 2007. Community ecology of the golden mouse. In: Barrett, G. W. and G. Feldhamer (Eds.). The Golden Mouse, Ecology and Conservation. Springer. New York, New York.

Christopher, C. C. and G. W. Barrett. 2006. Coexistence of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) in a Southeastern forest. Journal of Mammalogy 87:102-107. [Reprint]

Klee, R. V., A. C. Mahoney, C. C. Christopher, and G. W. Barrett. 2004. Riverine peninsulas: an experimental approach to homing in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). American Midland Naturalist 151:408-413. [Reprint]

Pruett, A. L., C. C. Christopher, and G. W. Barrett. 2003. Effects of a forested riparian peninsula on mean home range of the golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli) and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Georgia Journal of Science 60:201-208. [Reprint]