Peer reviewed publications

A significant part of SGI’s mission is to further the science behind understanding the biodiversity of the grasslands of the Southeastern U.S. Research staff work closely with other SGI staff to complement our restoration, native seed, tribal, and community engagement programs. Below is a base list of scientific publications that have undergone the rigorous peer-review process by other experts in relevant fields and published in scientific journals. Check back for updates and new publications on this page.

Selected scientific journal articles

• Ciafre, C. M., Gienger, C. M., Rehm, E. M., & Estes, L. D. (2022). Deterministic and stochastic factors jointly drive plant community composition and diversity in isolated wetlands. Wetlands, 42(7), 1–11. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13157-022-01580-4.

• Ciafre, C. M., & Estes, L. D. (2022). Two Coastal Plain Dichanthelium (Poaceae: Paniceae) Disjunct in Tennessee Grasslands and Their Conservation. Castanea, 87(1), 121–128. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2179/0008-7475.87.1.121.

• Estes, D., & Small, R. L. (2008). Phylogenetic relationships of the monotypic genus Amphianthus (Plantaginaceae tribe Gratioleae) inferred from chloroplast DNA sequences. Systematic Botany, 33(1), 176-182. https://doi.org/10.1600/036364408783887375.

• Estes, D., Tracey, C., Zimmerman, E., Knapp, W., Vanderhorst, J., Singhurst, J., & Witsell, T. (2023). Riverscour ecosystems of eastern unglaciated North America: A review. Natural Areas Journal, 43(3), 148-168. https://doi.org/10.3375/2162-4399-43.3.148.

• G. LeFevre, D. Estes, E. Rehm. (2025). Better reproductive success of an invasive thistle than its native relative under pollinator exclusion. Plant Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.70106.

• Lynch, D.T., T. Witsell, B.A. Rupar, W.C. Holimon, D.W. Bowman. 2019. The devil and the deep blue lake: How natural area acquisition and stewardship helps protect the major drinking reservoir in northwestern Arkansas. Natural Areas Journal 39(1): 78-89. DOI: 10.3375/043.039.0106.

• McDaniel, V.L., B. Baker, T. Witsell, & S.L. Hooks. 2022. Significant range extension of Streptanthus

  squamiformis (Brassicaceae), a Ouachita Mountain endemic. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 16(2): 559–563.

  https://doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v16.i1.1237.

• Murphy, T. H., Harris, J., & Estes, L. D. (2022). Morphometric and Molecular Evidence Delimit Six Species in Clematis reticulata s.l. (Ranunculaceae: Clematis subg. Viorna). Systematic Botany, 47(3), 667–690. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1600/036364422X16573019348210.

• Noss, R. F., Cartwright, J. M., Estes, D., Witsell, T., Elliott, G., Adams, D., ... & Weakley, A. (2021). Improving species status assessments under the US Endangered Species Act and implications for multispecies conservation challenges worldwide. Conservation Biology, 35(6), 1715-1724. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13777.

• Soteropoulos, D.L., C.R. De Bellis, T. Witsell. 2021. Citizen science contributions to address biodiversity loss and conservation planning in a rapidly developing region. Diversity 13 (6):255. DOI: 10.3390/d13060255.

• Weakley, A. S., LeBlond, R. J., Sorrie, B. A., Witsell, C. T., Estes, L. D., Gandhi, K., ... & Ebihara, A. (2011). New combinations, rank changes, and nomenclatural and taxonomic comments in the vascular flora of the southeastern United States. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 437-455. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41972288.

• Witsell, T. and R. Lance. 2024. Clarification of the status of Crataegus ouachitensis (Rosaceae) and a reevaluation of its var. minor. Phytoneuron 2024-55: 1–14. https://www.phytoneuron.net/wpcontent/uploads/2024/07/55PhytoN-Crataeguskeeslingii.pdf.

• Witsell, T., V.L. McDaniel, B.T. Baker, D.M. Zollner, G.L. De Jong, S.L. Hooks. 2024. Coefficients of conservatism for the vascular flora of Arkansas. Phytoneuron 2024-46: 1–99. https://www.phytoneuron.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/46PhytoN-ArkansasCvalues.pdf.

Peer-Reviewed Publications: SGI Affiliates

• Coming soon!

Books & Book Chapters

SGI’s Research team frequently contribute to scholarly books by authoring chapters, and many of our researchers are co-authors of scholarly books on the flora and fauna of the Southeastern United States.

Selected books and book chapters

• Chester, E. W., Wofford, B. E., Shaw, J., Estes, L. D., & Webb, D. H. (Eds.). (2015). Guide to the Vascular Flora of Tennessee (E. W. Chester, B. E. Wofford, J. Shaw, L. D. Estes, & D. H. Webb, Eds.). University of Tennessee Press.

• Gentry, J.L., G.P. Johnson, B.T. Baker, C.T. Witsell & J.D. Ogle, eds. 2013. Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Herbarium, Fayetteville, Arkansas. 709 pp.

• J.D. Ogle, T. Witsell, & J.L. Gentry. 2021. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Arkansas. Ozark Society Foundation Press. 520 pp.

• Noss - Forgotten Grasslands of the SE

• Noss - Fire Ecology of Florida

• Shaw, J., D. Estes, B. Ruhfel, A.B. Morris, and T.R. Littlefield. 2023 Tennessee-Kentucky Plant Atlas. [S.M. Landry and K.N. Campbell (original application development), USF Water Institute. University of South Florida]. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Austin Peay State University, University of Michigan, Furman University, and Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

• Weakley - Flora of the SE US

• Weakley - Flora of VA

• Weakley & Damon Waitt - Field guide - wildflowers of mid-Atlantic coastal plain

• Witsell, C.T., T.L. Foti, & B.T. Baker. 2018. The Native Flora of Grasslands and Associated Woodlands in the Grand Prairie Ecoregion of Eastern Arkansas (Book Chapter) in Southeastern Grasslands: Biodiversity, Ecology, & Management. University of Mississippi Press.

Graduate Researchers

SGI’s research staff serve on many student graduate research committees. Below is a list of our current and past graduate students whose scholarly work was supervised in part or whole by SGI researchers and contributed to SGI’s research work.

Current Graduate Students

• Josue Chevez-Sahona (Auburn University)

• Caroline Crews (Auburn University)

• Maya Lapp (University of Tennessee)

• Jared Gorrell (Austin Peay State University)

  • Project: “Flora and ecology of Shortleaf Pine-Oak Savannas of the Black Belt Ecoregion of Alabama."

Past Graduate Students

• Claire Ciafre (Austin Peay State University)

  • Thesis: “Deterministic and stochastic factors jointly drive plant community composition and diversity in isolated wetlands."

• Zach Irick (Austin Peay State University)

  • Thesis: "Taxonomy of the Clematis viorna complex (Clematis subgenus viorna) of the southeastern United States."

• Thomas Murphy (Austin Peay State University)

  • Thesis: “Taxonomic Study of the Clematis reticulata Species Complex (Ranunculaceae: Subgenus Viorna)."

• Michelle McInnis (Austin Peay State University)

  • Thesis: “Vascular flora and community ecology of riverscour communities of Clear Fork, Morgan County, Tennessee."

• Brittany Georgic (Austin Peay State University) - Ask Dwayne - Finished?

  • Thesis: “"Vascular flora and community ecology of the powerline grasslands of the Cumberland Plateau ecoregion."

• Diana Soteropolous (university?) - ask Dwayne

  • Dissertation: “Enhancing the Arkansas floristics toolbox for conservation: using community science and field surveys to close knowledge gaps in species distribution, species co-occurrence, and floristic quality."

• Mason Brock

  • Thesis: “Flora of riverscour communities of Tennessee's Caney Fork River."

• Cooper Breeden (Austin Peay State University)

  • Non-thesis

• Ask Dwayne -

Technical Reports & Ecosystem Guides

Research experts at SGI are frequently asked to contribute working groups to further nation and region-scaled efforts to make recommendations for land management based on key species and proven management practices.

Selected Technical Reports, Ecosystem Guides

State wildlife action plans

Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan. 2025. Ceska, Jennifer. Live June 10, 2025. https://georgiawildlife.com/WildGeorgiaSWAP.

Publications in popular media

SGI staff frequently publish research-related articles in popular media such as magazines, newsletters, periodicals, and blogs. Please contact SGI Communications Specialist Eleanor Lopez if you are interested in SGI contributing to your news outlet.

Selected publications in popular media by SGI Staff

• 30 Years of Conservation Networking for Georgia: Observations by an Older Threaded Spider by Jennifer Ceska for Georgia Garden, Summer 2025, pp. 4-7.

• Conserving The Globally Rare Porter's Goldenrod by Cooper Breeden for CPC's Feb 2023 Newsletter. Article.

• Get the Picture by Theo Witsell for Arkansas out of Doors Magazine. Article Column.

  • Deserts in the Forest (p. 33)

  • Grasslands by the River (p.25)

  • Remnants, Refugees, & Restorations (p. 36)

Collaborative research

Collaborative research is key to SGI’s success. Please click on our research partners at APSU and other institutions to learn more:

Austin Peay State University

• Dr. Catherine Hasse

Auburn university

• Dr. Heather Alexander

Mississippi Entomological museum, Mississippi State University

• Dr. JoVonn Hill

North carolina botanical garden

• Dr. Alan Weakley

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

• Jennifer Ceska

U.S. Forest Service

• Dr. Evan Rehm

University of Florida

• Dr. Eve Bohnett

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

• Dr. Joey Shaw

UNiversity of WEst Alabama

• Dr. Brian Keener

poster Presentations

Visual science communication

The Southeastern Grasslands Institute and our affiliates frequently present posters at scientific conferences, workshops, and meetings. Click each photo in the gallery to see posters related to our programs.