Email: stalterr@stjohns.edu
My research interests are in the areas of community ecology,
plant biodiversity, the ecology of rare plants, and the ecology of
invasive non-native plant species. Most of this research is in
coastal areas and in urban environments.
Invasive aggressive alien plant species are common in many
floras, especially in urban, city, state and national parks in the
northeastern United States. We have done considerable research in
this area. Many non-native plant speies, i.e. Ailiaria officinalis,
Ailanthus altissima, Aretmisia vulgaris, Celastrus orbiculatus,
Lonicera japonica, Lythrum salicaria and Rosa multiflora grow in a
variety of habitats and out-compete more desirable native plant
species. In studies of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York, Sandy
Hook, New Hersey, Ellis Island, New York-New Jersey and Statue of
Liberty National Monument, the abundance of these aggressive aliens
is well documented.
Plant biodiversity in urban areas have been compromised by
development, which has modified the natural environment by grading
and filling, ocnstruction, pollution from biological and chemical
contaminants, and overharvesting or eradication of native plant
species. Eradicating alien plants may be helpful in stabilizing
plant communities and enhancing species diversity. Habitat creation
and maintenance and preservation is important in maintaining
populations of rare plants, and enhancing species diversity.
Preservation of special habitats is also important in maintaining
species diversity and maintaining populations of rare plants.
Natural events such as community development (pland succession)
modifies the environment, making the habitat unsuitable for rare
plants.
Recent publications
Kincaid, D.T., R. Stalter and E.E. Lamont. 2000 Strategies in
computer intensive analysis of vascular plant floristics with
application to three US Atlantic coastal sites. Management
Information Systems 2000. GIS and Remote Sensing. C.A. Brebbia and
P. Pascilo, editors. WJT Press South Hampton, U.K. 313-321.
Stalter, R. And E. Lamont. 1999. Vascular flora of Cape Lookout
National Seashore and Bogue Banks, North Carolina. Journal of the
Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society. 115:213-235.
Stalter, R., M. Leyva and D.T. Kincaid. 1999. The flora of
Indian Shell Rings from coastal South Carolina to northern Florida.
Sida 18:861-875.