Jere A. Boudell, Ph.D.

Plant Ecologist

Professor of Biology, Clayton State University

I am a plant ecologist and Professor of Biology at Clayton State University where I teach ecology and plant biology courses. As a riparian plant ecologist, I study the impacts of urbanization and climate change on riparian (riverine) plant community restoration and the role of seed germination in community dynamics.

As a technologist, I'm interested in bridging the gap between the world of technology and ecology through mobile app development. To this end I develop a variety of Android apps for use in ecology, outreach, and education, teach app development workshops, and run EcoHackathons.

Research

Riparian Ecology

As a riparian plant ecologist, I am interested in investigating the relationships between plants and the environment in riparian (riverine) ecosystems. I study the role of propagule banks (seeds on or in soil) in maintaining biodiversity in floodplains. As many riparian ecosystems have been altered, and there is renewed interest in restoring the structure and function to these ecosystems, my research is also focused on improving restoration techniques. Restoration approaches to improving impaired riparian ecosystems takes on a new dimension as climate change alters the environment. Predicting how plant communities could change under varying climate scenarios is the subject of ongoing research.

Publications

Articles

Middleton, B.A. and J.A. Boudell. 2023. Salinification of coastal wetlands and freshwater
management to support resilience. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 9: 1-7. DOI: 10.34133/ehs.0083

Boudell, J.A. and B.A. Middleton. 2019. Plot Locator: An app for locating plots in the field. Applications in Plant Sciences 7: e11311. DOI: 10.1002/aps3.11311

Middleton, B.A., Boudell, J.A., and N.A. Fisichelli. 2017. Using management to address vegetation stress related to land-use and climate change. Restoration Ecology. 25: 326-329. DOI: 10.1111/rec.12507

Boudell, J.A., Dixon, M.D., Rood, S.B. and J.C. Stromberg. 2015. Restoring functional riparian ecosystems: Concepts and applications. Ecohydrology 8: 747-752. DOI: 10.1002/eco.1664

Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. 2015. Impact of nitrate enrichment on wetland and dryland seed germination and early seedling development. Journal of Vegetation Science 26: 452-463. DOI: 10.1111/jvs.12258

Belonoha, W.D. and J.A. Boudell. 2014. Dit Da Jow: Scientific evaluation of iron hit wine. Wing Chun Illustrated 17: 16-18.

Stromberg, J.C. and J.A. Boudell. 2013. Floods, drought, and seed mass of riparian plant species. Journal of Arid Environments 97: 99-107. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2013.05.012

Stromberg, J.C., Butler, L., Hazelton, A.F. and J.A. Boudell. 2011. Seed size, sediment, and spatial heterogeneity: Post-flood species coexistence in dryland riparian ecosystems. Wetlands 31: 1187-1197. DOI: 10.1007/s13157-011-0230-3

Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. 2008. Propagule banks: potential contribution to restoration of an impounded and dewatered riparian ecosystem. Wetlands 28(3): 656-665. DOI: 10.1672/07-133.1

Stromberg, J.C., Boudell, J.A. and A.F. Hazelton. 2008. Differences in seed mass between hydric and xeric plants influence seed bank dynamics in a dryland riparian ecosystem. Functional Ecology 22(2): 205-212. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01375.x

Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. 2008. Flood pulsing and metacommunity dynamics in a desert riparian ecosystem. Journal of Vegetation Science 19: 373-380. DOI: 10.3170/2008-8-18377

Boudell, J.A. 2008. SEEDS Chapters: Drivers of Change. SEEDS Dispersal 9(2): 7.

Boudell, J.A., Link S.O. and J. Johanson. 2002. Effect of soil microtopography on seed bank distribution in the shrub-steppe. Western North American Naturalist 62(1): 14-24. https://journals.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/wnan/article/view/28032

Book Contributions

Boudell, J.A. (section editor). 2018. Landscape Ecology of Wetlands. In The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods. Finlayson CM, Everard M, Irvine K, McInnes RJ, Middleton BA, van Dam AA, and Davidson NC. (Eds.) SpringerReference (www.springerreference.com), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Online publication 2013.

Boudell, J.A. 2018. Landscape Ecology of Wetlands: Overview. In The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods. Finlayson CM, Everard M, Irvine K, McInnes RJ, Middleton BA, van Dam AA, and Davidson NC. (Eds.) SpringerReference (www.springerreference.com), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Online publication 2013.

Boudell, J.A. 2018. Metacommunity dynamics of riparian ecosystems. In The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods. Finlayson CM, Everard M, Irvine K, McInnes RJ, Middleton BA, van Dam AA, and Davidson NC. (Eds.) SpringerReference (www.springerreference.com), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Online publication 2013.

Boudell, J.A. Short Articles. 2018. In The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods. Finlayson CM, Everard M, Irvine K, McInnes RJ, Middleton BA, van Dam AA, and Davidson NC. (Eds.) SpringerReference (www.springerreference.com), Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Textbook Contributions

Boudell, J.A. 2022-3. Chapter Active Learning Exercises. Ecology in a Changing World. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY.

Boudell, J.A. 2022-3. Case Study Active Learning Exercises. Ecology in a Changing World. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY.

Boudell, J.A. 2016. Case Study Active Learning Activities. Biology: How Life Works 2cd ed. W.H. Freeman Publishers, New York, NY.

Boudell, J.A. 2015. Scientific American Active Learning Exercises. Biology: How Life Works. W.H. Freeman Publishers, New York, NY.

Boudell, J.A. 2014. Chapter Active Learning Exercises. Biology for a Changing World. W.H. Freeman Publishers, New York, NY.

Boudell, J.A. 2013. Case Study Active Learning Exercises. Biology: How Life Works. W.H. Freeman Publishers, New York, NY.

Presentations ~ 2010-2023. See CV for complete list.

Invited Seminars

2014. Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. Impact of nitrate on wetland and dryland seed germination and early seedling development. Department of Botany, BirlaCollege of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Kalyan, India. Visiting Professor.

2014. Boudell, J.A., Mikula, J.M., and W.D. Belonoha. Dit Da Jow: Iron hit wine in Traditional Chinese medicine. Birla College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Kalyan, India. Visiting Professor.

2014. Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. Role of the seed bank in maintaining plant biodiversity in riparian ecosystems. Department of Botany, Birla College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Kalyan, India. Visiting Professor.

2014. Boudell, J.A., Mikula, J.M., and W.D. Belonoha. Dit Da Jow: Iron hit wine in Traditional Chinese medicine. Department of Botany, Pendharkar College of Arts, Sciences, and Commerce, Dombivli, India.

2012. Boudell, J.A., Jacobo, J.M, and S. Fariñas. Is urban stream restoration possible or is reclamation a more realistic goal in the Georgia Piedmont? Case study: East Jesters Creek in Clayton County, Georgia. USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, LA.

2011. Boudell, J.A. Connectivity and fragmentation: metacommunity dynamics in southwestern riparian ecosystems. Department of Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.

Invited Presentations

2022. Middle, B.A. and J.A. Boudell. Balancing climate and land-use change in coastal management and restoration. Coastal wetland management and restoration in the Anthropocene. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.

2021. Boudell, J.A. Engaging the connected visitor. Georgia Arbor Day Event. Georgia Tree Council. GA.

2018. Boudell, J.A. Establishing a campus arboretum and pollinator garden on your campus. College Canopy Conference. Georgia Urban Forest Council. Morrow, GA.

2016. Boudell, J.A. and G. Tang. The Eco Hackathon: transforming biologists into innovative coders using MIT App Inventor. MIT App Inventor Summit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

2016. Boudell, J.A. Ecology app development as a tool for research, education, and outreach. Ecology and cyberlearning: Inherent paradox or rich with potential? Ecological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

2015. Boudell, J.A., Jacobo, J.M. Resiliency and flexibility: urban stream restoration in uncertain times. Future-proof wetlands? Wetland adaptations to climate extremes. Society of Wetland Scientists, Providence, RI.

2014. Boudell, J.A., Jacobo, J.M. Urban stream restoration in the Georgia Piedmont: Policy, practice, and novel ecosystems. Hydrologic and vegetative restoration of urban affected parks: approaches and outcomes session. Conference on Ecological and Ecosystem Restoration, New Orleans, LA.

2013. Boudell, J.A., Jacobo, J.M. Urban stream restoration in a changing world: Alternative pathways in the Southern Piedmont USA. Restoring functional riparian ecosystems: Concepts and Applications Symposium. World Conference on Ecological Restoration, Madison, WI.

2013. Boudell, J.A. and C.H. Tang. Eco Hackathon: A confluence of ecology and hacker culture. MIT App Inventor Summit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

Contributed Presentations

2023. Boudell, J.A. Sacred Botany, Sacred Grief: Botanical expressions of ecological grief in modern paganism. Joint conference of the Society of Ethnobiology and Society for Economic Botany, Atlanta, GA.

2022. Boudell, J.A. Sacred Botany, Sacred Grief: plants as conduits of hope and sorrow in modern paganism. Ecological Spiritualities Conference, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.

2019. Boudell, J.A. The Biology Code: increasing technological literacy in undergraduate biology majors using MIT App Inventor. MIT App Inventor Summit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

2014. Boudell, J.A., *Mikula, J.M., and W.D. Belonoha. Dit Da Jow: Iron hit wine in Traditional Chinese medicine. Joint conference of the Society of Ethnobiology and Society for Economic Botany, Cherokee, NC.

2013. Boudell, J.A., Hornbuckle, S.F, and J.M. Mikula*. Analysis of secondary metabolites in Carpinus caroliniana and Ostraya virginiana. Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Atlanta, GA (poster).

2013. Jacobo, J.M. and J.A. Boudell. Soil properties of urban streams along a restoration gradient in the Southern Piedmont. Ecological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN.

2013. *Mikula, J., *Mitchell, K. and J.A. Boudell. Impact of soil nitrogen and tree canopy cover on Microstegium vimineum in a restored urban Piedmont stream. Ecological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN (poster).

2012. Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. Impact of varying nitrate concentrations on germination of a suite of semi-arid region riparian plant species. Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR.

2011. Boudell, J.A., *Fariñas, S. and J. Jacobo*. Is urban stream restoration possible or is reclamation a more realistic goal? Case study: East Jesters Creek in Clayton County, Georgia. Southeastern Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration Symposium, Quincy, FLA.

2010. Boudell, J.A. and J.C. Stromberg. Impacts of disturbance intensity on Prosopis understory competition and diversity. Ecological Society of America, Pittsburgh, PA.

2010. Stromberg, J.C., Hazelton, A. and J.A. Boudell. Seed bank dynamics of arid region streams and implications for restoration. 3rd International Society for Seed Science meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Workshops and Hackathons

2024. Expedition_Hack: for Climate!, MIT AI & Education Summit, MIT Raise, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

2021. MIT App Inventor Summer Appathon (committee), virtual.

2020. MIT App Inventor Summer Appathon (committee), virtual.

2019. Expedition_Hack: the environment. MIT App Inventor Summit, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

2018. Simple app development for wetland ecologists. Annual meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Denver, CO.

2017. Using AppVis to build data-rich apps with MIT App Inventor. ASM SIGCSE, Seattle, WA.

2016. Simple App Creation using MIT App Inventor. Outdoor Learning Symposium, Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, Atlanta, GA.

2016. Expedition_Hack: the environment. MIT App Inventor Summit, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

2016. Eco Hackathon. Ecology app creation, Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

2016. Simple App Creation for Ecologists using MIT App Inventor. Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

2015. Simple App Creation for Ecologists using MIT App Inventor. Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Baltimore, MD.

2015. Eco Hackathon. Ecology app creation, Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Baltimore, MD.

2015. MIT App Inventor Workshop. Center for Instructional Development, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA.

2014. MIT App Inventor Workshop. Birla College, Kalyan, India. Visiting Professor.

2014. Simple App Creation for Ecologists using MIT App Inventor: Introduction & Let’s build apps! Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Sacramento, CA.

2013. MIT App Inventor Workshop. Center for Instructional Development, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA.

Mobile Computing

Moving beyond technology consumption to technology innovation.

Please visit my Mobile Computing in the Sciences site

Student Projects

From seeds to restoration to app development...

Examples of student projects

Undergraduate Student Projects

Bailey. Medicinal uses of bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). 2024.

Kennedy. Impact of urban stream syndrome on soil nutrients and plant growth. 2023.

Gullick. Medicinal plants in veterinary practice: milk thistle. 2023.

Kennedy. Riparian plants of Crooked Creek and Jesters Creek. 2022.

Miller. Herbarium collections and medicinal plants internship. 2022.

Y. Yazquez Jacinto. Flora of Reynolds Nature Preserve. 2021.

Graham. Hybridization potential of three Brassica species. 2021.

T. Bryant. Quantity of cannabidiol (CBD) in high and low quality CBD tinctures. 2021.

S. Sterling. Flora of Reynolds Nature Preserve. 2020.

Adams. Herbarium collections and medicinal plants internship. 2020.

N. Anderson. Herbarium collections and botanical art internship. 2020.

S. Sterling. Plant identification, herbarium collections, and medicinal plants internship. 2020.

N. Anderson. Herbarium collections and plant illustration internship. 2020.

S. Sterling. Biomass of Chinese Privet and Sweetgum in restored and unrestored reaches of Jester’s Creek. 2019.

P. Foster. Biomass of Alnus cordata and Microstegium vimineum cover at restored and unrestored reaches of Jester’s Creek. 2019.

K. Thomas. Consulting: the environmental consulting game app. 2018.

ML. Li. GamEcology: the eco-friendly app that teaches. 2018.

E. Madubuike. SEEDS ecology and social media internship. 2017.

N. Bracey. Plant identification and herbarium collections internship. 2017.

A. Blanton. Impact of soil compaction and soil nitrates on Hedera helix and Lonicera japonica. 2017.

D. Jolly. Soil characteristics of urban restored and unrestored riparian ecosystems. 2017.

Caldwell. English Ivy management on an urban preserve in the Georgia Piedmont. 2016.

Anderson and Viera. Reynolds Nature Preserve eGuide App. 2015.

Yi. “Use of nanotechnology to mitigate instream nitrate pollution.” 2015.

Turner. “Medicinal properties of Vaccinium sp. (blueberry).” 2014-2015.

Mikula. “Phylogenetic relationships of Ostrya virginiana and Carpinus caroliniana using secondary metabolites.” 2013.

Mitchell. “Controlling factors on Microstegium vimineum in a restored Piedmont riparian ecosystem.” 2013.

Mitchell. Soil sampling techniques and analysis internship. 2012.

Mattice. Plant identification and herbarium collections internship. 2012.

Silva. “An evaluation of the Jesters Creek restoration project: soils 7 years later.” 2011-2012.

Silva. Seed ecology and greenhouse internship. 2011.

Patton. “Vertical height diversity and potential bird species richness in a restored Piedmont riparian ecosystem.” 2010-2011.

Hanft. Seed ecology, experimental design, and greenhouse internship. 2010.

Thompson. “Metacommunities: testing dispersal in a southwestern riparian ecosystem.” 2009.

Nguyen. “Germination of southwestern riparian species.” 2008.

Farinas. “An evaluation of the Jesters Creek restoration project: vegetation.” 2006-2007.

Jacobo. “An evaluation of the Jesters Creek restoration project: soils.” 2006-2007.

Holmes. Flora of Reynolds Nature Preserve and Plant identification and herbarium collections internship. 2006-2007.

Honors Projects

Jackson. Forensic Ecology. 2015.
Barrett. Forensic Botany. 2014.
Duong. The use of plants in modern medicine. 2011.
Cashmir. Plant biology in everyday life blog. 2009.

Graduate Committee Co-Chaired

Jacobo. M.S., Soil properties of urban streams along a restoration gradient in the Piedmont. Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. 2014.