Bethany Woodworth co-edits book on Hawaiian forest birds

Bethany L. Woodworth, Ph.D., University of New England visiting assistant professor of environmental studies, is co-editor and contributing author to Conservation Biology of Hawaiian Forest Birds: Implications for Island Avifauna, published by Yale University Press in November 2009. Co-editors are Thane K. Pratt, Carter T. Atkinson, Paul C. Banko, and James D. Jacobi.

Woodworth and her coeditors, researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey, conceived of the project in 1998. It became clear to them at the time that they needed to synthesize the results of more than a decade of new research on Hawaiian forest birds, conducted by researchers at the U.S.G.S. and at sister agencies and universities in the islands.

Among the topics covered in this book are trends in bird populations, environmental and genetic factors limiting population size, avian diseases, predators, and competing alien bird species. Color plates by award-winning local photographer Jack Jeffrey illustrate all living species discussed or described. Woodworth is the author on a total of five chapters in the book.