Danny Gustafson
Associate Professor, Plant Molecular Ecology
Department of Biology
The Citadel
171 Moultrie St.
Charleston, SC 29409
(843) 953-7876
danny.gustafson@citadel.edu
Ph.D., 2000, Southern Illinois University
M.S., 1996, Illinois State University
Research emphasis: plant ecology, conservation genetics, mechanisms structuring populations and communities, spatial genetic structure of the endangered pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), genetic control of community assembly rules, and laurel wilt disease
Current and planned research projects :
- characterizing differential genetic structure of subordinate plant species as a function of dominant grass species seed source selection in replicated grassland plots
- determining fine scale genetic structure of the dioecious Lindera melissifolia and potential of bi-parental inbreeding depression in North and South Carolina populations
- documenting the impact of laurel wilt disease on native plant communities (research conducted with Dr. Joel Gramling)
- my general research program tries to link plant genotype to population structure, community assembly, and across multiple trophic level interactions
Selected Publications:
- Gustafson, D.J., Halfacre, A.C., & Anderson, R.C. 2008. Practical seed source selection for restoration projects in an urban setting: tallgrass prairie, serpentine barrens, and coastal habitat examples. Urban Habitats 5 (1) ISSN 1541-7115.
http://www.urbanhabitats.org/v05n01/seedsource_full.html - Casper, B.B., Bentivenga, S.P., Baoming, J., Doherty, J.H., Edenborn, H.M., Gustafson, D.J. 2008. Plant-soil feedback: testing the generality with the same grasses in serpentine and prairie soils. Ecology 89, 2154-2164.
- Gustafson, D.J., & Peterson, P.M. 2007. Re-examination of Muhlenbergia capillaris, M. expansa, and M. sericea (Poaceae: Muhlenbergiinea). Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1, 85-89.
- Gustafson, D.J., Kilheffer, J.*, & Silliman, B.R. 2006. Relative impacts of Littoraria irrorata and Prokelisia marginata on Spartina alterniflora growth. Estuaries and Coasts, 29, 639-644.
- Gustafson, D.J., Gibson, D.J., & Nickrent, D.L. 2004. Conservation genetics of two co-dominant grass species in the endangered grassland ecosystem. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41, 389-397.