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Harvard Forest Logo 		Betsy Colburn

Betsy A. Colburn

Harvard Forest

Petersham, MA 01366
(978) 724-3302 ext. 280
colburn@fas.harvard.edu


EDUCATION

Ph.D Zoology. 1980. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Physiology, life history adaptations, and community ecology of salt-tolerant caddisflies in desert wetland systems of Death Valley, CA
M. S. Zoology. 1975. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Distribution and abundance of aquatic pulmonate snails in Wisconsin River floodplain wetlands along gradient of flooding and vegetation
B. A Biology (cum laude). 1973. Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA. Honors thesis: Aquatic insects of Eaton Canyon Creek, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles

EMPLOYMENT

2001-present Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham, MA. 2003-present, Aquatic Ecologist; 2001-2003, Bullard Fellow
1983-2001 Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA 1990-2001, Aquatic Ecologist, Center for Biological Conservation; 1993-1994, Interim Director, Advocacy Department; 1985-1990, Water Pollution Policy Specialist, Education and Public Policy Department; 1983-1985, Aquatic Ecologist, Environmental Science Department
1984-1992 Antioch/New England Graduate School, Resource Management and Administration Program, Keene, NH. Adjunct Faculty: Limnology, Water Quality, Groundwater
1979-1983 Williams College, Williamstown, MA. Assistant Professor of Biology: Comparative Physiology, Endocrinology, General Physiology Laboratory, Salt Glands Seminar, Winter Field Course in Death Valley

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

American Entomological Society
North American Benthological Society; Member of Science and Policy Committee, Judge of student presentations
Society of Wetland Scientists; Associate Editor of Wetlands 2006-2009

HONORS AND AWARDS

Charles Bullard Fellowship in Forest Research, Harvard University, Harvard Forest.
Graduate Fellowship, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Phi Beta Kappa, Occidental College.

PUBLICATIONS

Willaker, J. J., W. V. Sobczak, and E. A. Colburn. Stream macroinvertebrate communities in coupled hemlock and deciduous watersheds. Submitted to Northeastern Naturalist.

Colburn, E. A. 2007. In press. Ecosystems: Temporary waters. Chapter in: Encyclopedia of Ecology, Elsevier, Oxford, UK.

Colburn, E. A., S. C. Weeks, and S. K. Reed. 2007. Diversity and ecology of vernal pool invertebrates. pp. 105-126 in: Science and Conservation of Vernal Pools in Northeastern North America. A. J. K. Calhoun and P. G. deMaynadier (eds.). CRC Press, New York, New York.

Colburn, E. A. 2007. (ed.) Procedures for Land Conservation Projects. Authors: J. Rasku, L. Youngblood, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Athol, MA. 236 pp. plus appendices.

Collins, B. M., W. V. Sobczak, and E. A. Colburn. 2007. Subsurface flowpaths in a forested headwater stream harbor a diverse macroinvertebrate community. Wetlands 27(2): 319-325.

Colburn, E. A., and F. M. Garretson Clapp. 2006. Habitat and life history of a northern caddisfly, Phanocelia canadensis (Banks) (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae), at the southern extreme of its known range. Northeastern Naturalist 13(4): 537-550.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 2004. Vernal Pools: Ecology and Conservation. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Granville, OH. 426 pp.

Colburn, B. A. 2001. Small pools close up: Examining vernal pools of the Northeast. National Wetlands Newsletter 7-8, 17-18.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1995, 1992 (Editor). A Guide to Understanding and Administering the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA. 521 pp.

Childs, Nancy, and Betsy Colburn. 1993. Vernal Pool Lessons and Activities: A Curriculum Companion to Certified. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA. 52 pp.

Colburn, E., D. Hickman, R. Hubley, and J. Kreda. 1990. Watershed Decisions. Massachusetts Audubon Society. Lincoln, MA. 95 pp.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996. (Editor). Certified: A Citizen's Step-by-step Guide to Protecting Vernal Pools. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA. 110 pp.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1988. Factors influencing species diversity in saline waters of Death Valley, U.S.A. Hydrobiologia 158: 215-226.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1987. Basic Hydrologic Calculations for Conservation Commissions: Runoff, Flow in Pipes and Channels, and Land Subject to Flooding. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Boston. 95 pp.

Shortelle, Ann Bergquist, and Elizabeth A. Colburn. 1987. Ecological effects of liming in a Cape Cod kettle pond: A note for fisheries managers. In: Lake and Reservoir Management. Proceedings of a Symposium held November 5-8, 1986, Portland, OR. NALMS, Merrifield, VA.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1984. Diapause in a salt-tolerant desert caddisfly: the life cycle of Limnephilus assimilis (Trichoptera) in Death Valley. American Midland Naturalist 111(2): 280-287.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1983. Effect of elevated temperature on osmotic and ionic regulation in a salt-tolerant caddisfly from Death Valley, California. Journal of Insect Physiology 29: 363-369.

Colburn, Elizabeth A. 1981. Environmental variability in a saline desert stream and some implications for aquatic life. pp. 147-156 In: H. I. Shuval (ed.). Developments in Arid Zone Ecology and Environmental Quality. Balaban ISS, Philadelphia, PA.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • State and federal technical advisory committees:
    • US Environmental Protection Agency, New England Biological Assessment of Wetlands Working Group.
    • Past Technical Advisory Committees: MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program -- Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Massachusetts, Diversity and Conservation; Wetlands Wildlife; Vernal Pools. MA Department of Environmental Protection -- Surface Water Quality Standards; 401 Water Quality Certification; Non-point Source Pollution; Wetlands Delineation; Hazardous Waste Management; Landfill Capping; Generic Environmental Impact of Eutrophication and Aquatic Vegetation Control. MA Department of Public Works -- Road Salt. Metropolitan District Commission: Quabbin Watershed.
  • 20 years of providing technical assistance and education to local land-use regulators and natural-resource managers, through consulting, workshops, and publications.
  • Manuscript reviewer:
    • Entomological News, 2007
    • Wetlands, 2004, Associate Editor 2006-present
    • Northeastern Naturalist, 2002, 2004, Guest Editor 2005-2006
    • Environmental Management, 2002
    • Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1983-1997
  • Founding Member and Board of Directors, Association of Massachusetts Wetlands Scientists, 1991-1993. Program Committee, Chair, 1991-1995
  • Graduate committee member:
    • Harvard University, Brooks Mathewson, MS thesis, Forest Science, 2004-2006, MLA thesis, Extension Studies in Biology, 2003-2004.
    • Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Sal Beatini, MS thesis, Biology, 2001-2003.
    • University of Massachusetts, Matt Burne, MS Thesis, Forestry and Wildlife, 1997-1999