|
 |
|
|
Associate Professor of Zoology
Associate Professor of Botany and MicrobiologyPhone: (405)325-1792
Fax: (405)325-6202
Current Research Interests and Subject Areas Available for Graduate Research
A central theme in my research is the evolutionary ecology of plant reproduction. We investigate the dynamics of different reproductive strategies and how plants interact with their biotic and abiotic environment through their reproductive system. Much of this work involves mating system and germination studies. Currently, we are investigating the dynamics of heterocarpy, a reproductive system in which different flowers on the same plant produce two or more types of fruits that have dramatically different dispersal and germination features. This reproductive strategy provides bet-hedging against habitat variation and may provide protection against seed loss through insect herbivory. This work focuses primarily on the genus Grindelia (gumweeds) and we are pursuing new directions related to its seed bank dynamics. . My lab is also conducting conservation research on the rare, riparian tree Alnus maritima (seaside alder), which grows in Oklahoma, Georgia, and the Delmarva peninsula. We are combining population genetic and ecological studies to investigate why this species has little establishment of new individuals from seed despite very high seed production. Response of this species to climate change is a topic of central interest for future studies.
In addition to the research described above, I also conduct science pedagogy and education research investigating how a curricular structure based on Tree-Thinking helps students understand concepts of biological evolution. I have also co-authored three high school level reference books: Plant Ecology, Plant Diversity, and Natural Section..
M.S. Botany, University of Georgia
B.S. in Botany, Oklahoma State University
Selected publications:
Jones J.M. and J.P. Gibson. In press. Mating system analysis of Alnus maritima (seaside alder), a rare riparian tree. Castanea.
Jones J.M. and J.P. Gibson. 2011. Population genetic diversity and structure within and among disjunct populations of Alnus maritima (seaside alder) using microsatellites. Conservation Genetics. 12:1003-1013. DOI 10.1007/s10592-011-0203-3. Published online 17 March 2011.
Rice, S.A. and J.P. Gibson. 2009 Does the Oklahoma seaside alder (Alnus maritima ssp. oklahomensis) reproduce by seedling establishment? Oklahoma Native Plant Record.
Lance, S.L., K.L. Jones, C. Hagen, T. C. Glenn, J.M. Jones and J.P. Gibson. 2009. Development and characterization of nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci from seaside alder, Alnus maritima. Conservation Genetics. 10:1907-1910.
Gibson, J.P. and T.R. Gibson. 2009. Natural Selection. Chelsea House Publishers. New York, NY.
Gibson, J.P. 2008. Exaggerated traits and breeding success in widowbirds: A case of sexual selection and evolution. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. Available at http://www.sciencecases.org/widowbirds/widowbirds.asp.
Gibson, J. P., S.A. Rice, and C.M. Stucke. 2008. Comparison of population genetic diversity between a narrowly distributed and widespread species of Alnus (Betulaceae). American Journal of Botany 95:588-596.
Gibson, J.P. and T.R. Gibson. 2007. Plant Diversity. Chelsea House Publishers. New York, NY.
Schrader, J.A., W.R. Graves, S.A. Rice, and J.P. Gibson. 2006. Differences in shade tolerance help explain varying success of two sympatric Alnus species. International Journal of Plant Sciences. 167: 979-989.
Gibson, J.P. and T.R. Gibson. 2006. Plant Ecology. Chelsea House Publishers. New York, NY.
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
