Botanist
Resume:
Curriculum Vitae for David Francis Barfknecht PhD.
Botanist
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
Little Rock, AR 72205
************@*******.***, *****.**********@********.***
RESEARCHGATE: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Barfknecht
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9361-2193
Education
Doctoral Degree in Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (2018 – 2022) Dissertation: “Diversity, Community Structure, and Patch Characteristics in Natural Xeric Forest Opening Communities.”
Master’s Degree in Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (2016 – 2018) Thesis: Dissertation: “Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Diversity in Acid Seep Springs following Biotic and Abiotic Disturbance.”
Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Botany, University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point (2012-2014) (Summa Cum Laude)
Associate’s Degree in Arts and Sciences, University of Wisconsin – Marshfield/ Wood County (2009-2011)
Awards
Doctoral Assistantship Award (SIUC; 2021-2022)
Doctoral Fellowship Award (SIUC; 2018-2019)
John W. Voigt Natural History of Plants Award (SIUC; 2018)
Royal Anderson Ecology Award (UWSP; 2014)
Highest Honor’s Award (UWSP; 2012-2014)
Student Ambassador Award (UWM/WC; 2011)
Research Experiences
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (2022 - Present) – Little Rock, AR
Major Advisors: Theo Witsell, M.S. and Diana Soteropoulos, M.S.
Description:
Helped create a measurement protocol for endangered shrub Lindera melissifolia to
access population demography and stability
Utilized a habitat suitability model to create prediction maps and conduct Section 6
surveys for threatened and endangered species in Arkansas
Help organized datasets for endangered Lindera melissifolia and Eriocaulon
koernickianum.
Southern Illinois University (2021 - 2022) - Carbondale, IL
Conducted vegetation surveys and light measurements across several experimental
tallgrass prairie plots located across Kansas and Southern Illinois
Assisted a field crew with collecting materials for biomass assessment and genetic
research
Incorporated multivariate taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional analyses to
characterize temporal and climatic shifts and diversity-productivity relationships in these
experimental plots
Southern Illinois University (2019 - Present) - Carbondale, IL
Major Advisor: Dr. David Gibson
Description:
Conducted vegetation surveys in 23 natural sandstone outcrop opening sites
Conducted vegetation surveys in 19 natural xeric forest opening sites. which
incorporated the use of GPS units to define the areas of each site
Conducted taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional analyses for each site based on
both previous and current surveys
Utilized spatially explicit models to assess the spatial structure of sites and
investigate the predictive use of climate, soil, and elevation variables on species
turnover based on sites across southern Illinois
Southern Illinois University (2019 - 2022) - Carbondale, IL
Major Advisors: Dr. David Gibson Christopher Benda, M.S., and Nick Seaton, M.S.
Description:
Discovered over 60 newly recorded populations of threatened and endangered plant
species in both public and private lands in southern Illinois
Aided in updating previous records of rare species on both private and public land
Participated in field excursions to discover both known and new rare plant
populations within private and public land across the Shawnee National Forest
Incorporated the use of Arc Collector software to document rare species occurrences
Southern Illinois University (2018) - Carbondale, IL
Major Advisor: Dr. David Gibson
Description:
Conducted vegetation surveys and biomass collection at old field successional sites
at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center
Utilized phylogenetic analyses to observe shifts in evolutionary relationships over 22
years during an old field succession
Southern Illinois University (2016-2018) -Carbondale, IL
Major Advisor: Dr. David Gibson
Description:
Organized a research project to understand how exotic grass Microstegium
vimineum shifts species composition and phylogenetic diversity in acid seep
springs
Assisted graduate students in greenhouse experiments conducted to observe the
effects of exotic Lespedeza cuneata on native prairie species
Maintained the role of Chemical Safety Officer
Lumberjack RC&D Council (2015) - Rhinelander, WI
Major Supervisor: Paul Mueller M.S.
Description:
Assessed local vegetation to key habitat types of government CFI plots, mainly in
Jackson and Vilas County, WI
Collected hundreds of plant species to key out CFI plot to a corresponding habitat
types
Assessed drainage based on local ecohydrology (excessive/moderate/poor)
Navigated to plot locality with use of GPS, atlas, and compass
University of Wisconsin (2014) - Madison, WI
Major supervisors: Drs. Donald Waller and William Alverson
Description:
Collected environmental and functional trait-based data for several native and
non-native plant species
Used herbariia data as well as professional contacts to predict and relocate
locations of established plant populations
Collected population-based data for plant populations whose samples were collected
from several public locations throughout Wisconsin
Collected and prepared voucher specimens for herbarium archival which
which related to plant population research
Assisted in Dane County, WI with collecting data related to effects of herbivory
and Allaria petiolata presence on planted native species
University of Wisconsin (2014) - Stevens Point, WI
Major supervisor: Dr. Brian Barringer
Description:
Utilized herbaria and botanical databases and chromosomal atlases to analyze
effects of ploidy status of California vascular flora on species-specific niche
breadth
Utilized SPSS and SAS statistical software to perform univariate analyses
University of Wisconsin (2014) - Stevens Point, WI
Major supervisor: Dr. Brian Barringer
Description:
Assessed endemic Oxytropis campestris, April 2013 - September 2013
Collected transect location, plant size, and reproductive effort data at Lake
Plainfield, WI
Completed a total population count of Oxytropis campestris at Lake Pickerel, WI
Laboratory Experiences
Milk Specialties (2016) - Wautoma, WI
Major advisor: Kimmie Kongslie M.S.
Description:
Performed quality assurance practices for manufactural processes, making product containing animal and botanical protein supplements
Performed organoleptic analysis on consumer products in bulk form to gauge acceptability for sale and distribution of products
University of Wisconsin (2014) – Madison, WI
Major supervisor: Dr. Don Waller
Description:
Collected data for several native and non-native plant species throughout Wisconsin in several counties
Measured functional traits of plant samples collected in the field and brought into a lab
University of Wisconsin (2014) - Stevens Point, WI
Major supervisor: Dr. Devinder Sandhu
Description:
Conducted laboratory safety training
Utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, gel electrophoresis, plate loading and imaging, and liquid nitrogen DNA extraction and purification
Created a list of primers used for Glycine max for DNA extraction
Herbarium Experience
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (2022 - Present) – Little Rock, AR
Major Advisors: Theo Witsell, M.S. and Diana Soteropoulos
Description:
Aided in keying, accessioning, imaging, repairing organizing and shelving incoming
specimens to the herbariums, including herbarium collections for defunded Arkansas
herbaria.
Southern Illinois University (2019) - Carbondale, IL
Major Advisor: Dr. Kurt Neubig
Description:
Databased existing herbarium specimens into an online database and updated obsolete
taxonomic synonyms.
University of Wisconsin (2014) - Stevens Point, WI
Major Advisor: Dr. Emmet Judziewicz
Description:
Mounted plant specimens, preserving them for educational and research purposes
Publications - Academic Posters
Taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional shifts in natural xeric forest openings over 31 years
By: David Barfknecht and David Gibson
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2022
Taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional shifts in natural xeric forest openings over 31 years
By: David Barfknecht, Alice Heikens, and David Gibson
Student Research & Creative Activities Forum 2022
Midwest Ecology and Evolution Symposium 2021
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2021
Changes in taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, community composition, and spatial structure of sapling and tree communities following an inland super derecho
By: David Barfknecht, Saroj Thapa, and David Gibson
Midwest Ecology and Evolution Symposium 2021
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2021
Mowing and fertilizer effects on plant diversity-productivity relationships from a 22-year-old successional field
By: Guoyong Li, David Barfknecht, and David Gibson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Gibson
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2019
Interactive effects of simultaneous disturbances drive species composition, dispersion, and exotic invasion in secondary succession over 22 years
By: David Barfknecht, Guoyong Li, and David Gibson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Gibson
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2019
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2019
Shifts in species composition and phylogenetic diversity in acid seep springs
By: David Barfknecht and David Gibson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Gibson
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2018
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2018
Species composition, diversity, and environmental differences in acid seeps
By: David Barfknecht and David Gibson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Gibson
Sigma Xi Natural Sciences Research Symposium 2016
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2018
Biodiversity and species composition shifts in acid seep springs
By: David Barfknecht and David Gibson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Gibson
Sigma Xi Natural Sciences Research Symposium 2016
Ploidy and range size of the California flora
By: David Barfknecht
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Barringer
College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium 2014
Publications - Presentations
Metapopulation and metacommunity structure in sandstone outcrop communities
By: David Barfknecht
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2021
Ecological Society of America Symposium 2021
Interactive effects of disturbances drive species composition and exotic invasions in secondary succession
By: David Barfknecht
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2019
Community changes in acid seeps
By: David Barfknecht
Illinois Native Plant Society meeting – Southern Chapter 2018
Phylogenetic diversity in acid seep springs during Microstegium invasion and stream-downcutting
By: David Barfknecht
Illinois Indigenous Species Symposium 2018
Temporal phylogenetic shifts in acid seeps
By: David Barfknecht
Darwin Week Student Symposium 2018
Biodiversity and species composition shifts in acid seep springs
By: David Barfknecht and David Gibson
College of Natural Sciences Research Symposium 2017
Ploidy and range size of the California Flora
By: David Barfknecht and Brian Baringer
College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Symposium 2014
Benefits of Wind Pollination
By: David Barfknecht
Faculty Mentor: Brian Barringer
University of Wisconsin Senior Seminar 2014
Publications – Academic and Review Papers
Barfknecht, D.F, Heikens, A.L., and Gibson, D.J. (2023). Environmental conditions drive ecosystem stability and resilience in natural xeric forest openings in response to simultaneous threats from exotic species invasion and climate change. Journal of Ecology, In prep.
Barfknecht, D.F., Thapa, S., Gibson, D.J., Holzmueller E.J. (2023). Taxonomic and phylogenetic shifts following an inland derecho. Biodiversity and Conservation. In review.
Barfknecht, D.F., and Gibson, D.J. (2022). Are metapopulation species drivers of metacommunity structure in sandstone outcrop communities? Journal of Vegetation Science, e13167.
Barfknecht, D.F and Gibson, D.J. (2021). Taxonomic and phylogenetic composition show biotic resistance to exotic invasion in acid seep springs. Ecological Processes, 10:1-12.
Li G., Barfknecht, D.F., and Gibson, D.J. (2020). Disturbance effects on plant diversity-productivity relationships from a 22-year-old successional field. Journal of Vegetation Science, 32:e12970.
Barfknecht, D.F. (2020) Natural Xeric Forest Openings in Southern Illinois. The Harbinger, 37:10.
Barfknecht, D.F., Li, G., Martinez, K.A., and Gibson, D.G. (2020) Interactive and simultaneous disturbances drive species composition, dispersion, and exotic species niches in a 22-year-old successional field. Plant Ecology and Diversity. In press.
Szubryt. M.B., Urbatsch, L.E., Vargas-Rodriguez, Y.L., Barfknecht, D.F., and Neubig K.M. (2020). Morphological, Molecular, and Biogeographic Evidence for Specific Recognition of
Euthamia hirtipes and Euthamia scabra (Asteraceae, Astereae). Systematic Botany, 45:1-10.
Barfknecht, D.F., Gibson, D.J., and Neubig, K.M. (2020). Plant community and phylogenetic shifts in acid seep springs over 49 years following Microstegium vimineum invasion. Plant Ecology, 221:167-175.
Muell, M. R., Guillory, W. X., Kellerman, A., Rubio, A. O., Scott-Elliston, A., Morales, O., Eckhoff, K., Barfknecht, D.F., Hartsock, J., Weber, J., and Brown, J. L. (2020). Gaming natural selection: Using board games as simulations to teach evolution. Evolution, 74:681-685.
Grants
Illinois Native Plant Society. (2019).
Southern Illinois University (2019 - Present) - Carbondale, IL
Description:
Support for research of natural xeric forest opening communities: $1500
Teaching Experience
Southern Illinois University (2016-Present) - Carbondale, IL
Major advisors: Dr. Kurt Neubig, Dr. David Gibson, Dr. Sedonia Sipes, Dr. Loretta Battaglia, and Dr. Renzaglia
Description:
Fulfilled the role of Teaching Assistant for different courses including General Botany, Plant Diversity, Plant Morphology, Environmental Issues, Biostatistics, and Grassland Ecology
Nekoosa High School (2014 – 2015) - Nekoosa, WI
Description:
Relieved permanent teachers and faculty while substitute teaching grades 9 through 12.
Responsibilities included teaching pre-established lessons, administering homework, quizzes and exams, and submitting performance feedback comments to the primary instructor
Manuscripts Reviewed For
American Midland Naturalist
Biological Invasions
Journal of Biogeography
Society Memberships
Ecological Society of America (2016-Present)
Botanical Society of America (2016-Present)
Illinois Native Plant Society (2016-Present)
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (2016-Present)
Academic Clubs/Other Organizations
Plant Biology Graduate Organization – Secretary (2022)
Plant Biology Graduate School Organization - President (2021)
Green Earth – Board Member (2020-Present)
Restoration Club - Secretary (2016-2017) and Officer (2016-Present)
Plant Biology Graduate School Organization - President (2016-2018)
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