Scott Smyers

field biologist, Oxbow Associates Inc.

Mr. Smyers is a Field Biologist at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He has studied the behavior and ecology of amphibian and reptile species native to the eastern United States for more than 10 years. He has conducted field research on five species of turtles in southern New England including radio-telemetry studies on four state-listed species of turtle in Massachusetts: Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), eastern box turtle (Tarrapene carolina carolina), and wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta). In addition, Mr. Smyers conducted laboratory and field studies of three species of pond-breeding salamanders in southern Louisiana. He continues to work on independent research on the evolutionary biology and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in southern New England. His research interests include life history plasticity and population biology of amphibians, ecology of freshwater turtles, and the functional ecology of larval caddisflies in ephemeral ponds. Mr. Smyers has provided consultation services for projects such as residential developments, utility easements, roadway improvements, airport expansions, and development within military facilities with potential impacts to wetlands and rare wildlife. In addition, Mr. Smyers has conducted amphibian and reptile surveys for The Nature Conservancy at two sites in Massachusetts.