Education
Ph.D, Rangeland Ecology and Management, 2005, Texas A&M University
M.Ag., Animal Science/Agribusiness, 1971, Texas A&M University
B.S., Animal Science, 1969, Texas A&M University
Professional History
Research Scientist, Texas Water Resources Institute
Research Assistant, Texas A&M University
Field Guide, Wildlife Systems, Inc.
Operations Manager, Premier Beef Cattle
Years of Experience
Professional: 35
Natural Resource Management: 15
Ecological: 8
Wetlands: 8
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Keating has over 30 years experience in working with natural resources. He has broad scale plant identification, collection, and sampling experience. Managing grazing contracts in 9 states in the West, Midwest, South, and Southwest yielded exposure to a diverse plethora of range plants. His Ph.D. dissertation, Prediction of Diet Quality Parameters of Rocky Mountain Elk Via Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) Fecal Profiling, studied the plant/animal interactions of a large herbivore on their native western range. Dr. Keating’s plant taxonomy training began with Dr. E. J. Dysterhuis in the late 1960’s and continued on through industry and Dr. Stephen Hatch in most recent years at Texas A&M University. As a teaching assistant he taught range plant identification in Principles of Rangeland Management (RLEM 314) and Rangeland Management Techniques (RLEM 415). He has conducted numerous range inventories consistent with NRCS protocols listed in Chapter 4 of the National Range and Pasture Handbook. Some typical projects are listed below:
Typical Projects
- Team Leader for Range and Forage Inventory for the 260,000-acre U. S. Army military reservation at Ft. Hood, TX. Field data produced a written opinion on livestock stocking rates for the reservation. Endangered species considered were the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. We replicated the methodology and point data recorded by the NRCS surveys performed in 1997 and 2002.
- Research Scientist and Team Leader for field data collection on research plots at Ft. Hood, TX, for Texas Water Resources Institute. The Restoration and Reseeding of Damaged Lands project was funded by TCEQ and EPA. Over 30,000 cubic yards of dairy compost from Erath County was applied to native rangelands with a NRCS native range plant seed mix added. Established vegetation transects are monitored regularly using the step-point method. A custom stainless steel spreader with 40,000 lb. axles was fabricated to handle the rigors of pasture spreading chores on the training grounds.
- Team Leader for field data collection (PHYGROW sampling technique) for the Burning Risk Advisory Support System (BRASS) for the USDA/Risk Management Agency. Upland plant communities surveyed and described in TX, OK, LA, and AR. Worked in collaboration with USDA/NRCS offices, Texas Forest Service, and the Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry.
- Team Leader for field data collection (PHYGROW sampling technique) for the Forage Risk Assessment Management System (FRAMS) web-based program for the USDA/Risk Management Agency. Worked collectively with USDA/NRCS offices in NM, WY, and WV.
- Project scientist for an industrial biosolids land application program. Duties include data review, basic statistical analysis of data, loading rate calculations, soil sampling, and assisting with conducting a comprehensive monitoring program that includes the use of GPS.
- Wetland delineations performed and biological opinion written for Air Products Company, Sulphur, LA, on an 8-mile natural gas pipeline constructed across a series of local wetlands. Soil horizons were measured and recommendations for soil horizon reclamation were written for post-construction.
- Wetland delineations performed for Tri-Counties Water District, Marlin, TX, to apply for Section 404 permitting in the construction of 4 impoundments in the Big Creek watershed. Wildlife Habitat Appraisal Procedure (WHAP) was written for the impoundments.
- Wetland delineations performed for the Wildlife Habitat Restoration Center in Harris County, TX. The Restoration Center leased land from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and needed a professional opinion before locating permanent buildings on the property. Surveys were conducted for the endangered species Hymenoxys texana.
- Wetland delineations performed for the City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department and biological opinion (EA) submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on the environmental impact of hiking/biking trail construction in the 515-acre city park. Surveying and mapping was conducted for the endangered species Spiranthes parksii.
- Research Scientist for Texas Cooperative Extension in experiments on animal waste control. TCE researches and field tests new technologies in the animal waste industry.
- Field guide for Wildlife Systems, Inc., San Angelo, TX, for clients in recreational use of ecosystems of CO, NM, and TX.
Presentations and Publications
- Prediction of Diet Quality Parameters of Rocky Mountain Elk via Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) Fecal Profiling. Texas A&M University. 2005.