UCF Biology Faculty

C. Ross Hinkle
Ph.D.
Plant Ecology and Applied Conservation Biology
Phone: 407-823-2141
Fax:407-823-5769
Email: rhinkle@mail.ucf.edu

Research Interests

Dr. Hinkle's primary research interests are in plant ecology, landscape ecology, and applied conservation biology. For more than ten years, he and his Postdoctoral Research Associates have been members of a multidisciplined team of scientists who have experimentally evaluated ecosystem responses to double ambient atmospheric CO2 including ecosystem carbon dynamics, above and below ground biomass production, ecosystem water dynamics, ecosystem response to fire, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem structural components. He is also interested in applied research related to the conservation of native ecosystems via implementation of local community-based land acquisition and ecosystem management programs. He chairs a committee of scientists in Brevard County, Central Florida, in the design and implementation of conservation reserves. The objectives of the Brevard county program are directed toward optimizing the long term sustainability of biological diversity in a rapidly urbanizing landscape. Research interest areas include fire ecology and landscape management, invasive species management, restoration ecology of degraded habitat, and the establishment of long term ecological monitoring and research of conservation areas. He continues to be an active member of a national team of scientists who are designing and implementing the National Ecological Observatory Network with the National Science Foundation to address national priorities for ecological monitoring and research. Dr. Hinkle is a strong proponent of bringing together multidisciplinary teams of scientists to solve complex ecological problems.

Selected Publications

Li, Jiahong, Thomas L. Powell, Troy J. Seiler, David P. Johnson, Hans P. Anderson, Rosvel Bracho, Bruce A. Hungate, Charles R. Hinkle, and Bert G. Drake. 2007. Impacts of Hurricane Frances on Florida scrub-oak ecosystem processes: defoliation, net CO2 exchange and interactions with elevated CO2. Global Change Biology, Volume 13, Issue 6: 1101-1113.

Alisha Lea Pagel Brown, Frank P. Day, Bruce A. Hungate, Bert G. Drake and C. Ross Hinkle. 2007. Root biomass and nutrient dynamics in a scrub-oak ecosystem under the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2. Plant and Soil. Volume 292, Numbers 1-2 / March, 2007: 219-232

Day, Frank P., Daniel B. Stover, Alisha L. Pagel, Bruce A. Hungate, John J. Dilustro, Brandon T. Herbert, Bert G. Drake and Charles R. Hinkle. 2006. Rapid root closure after fire limits fine root responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 in a scrub oak ecosystem in central Florida, USA. Global Change Biology Vol 12: 1047-1053.

Dore, S., Hymus, Graham J. Johnson, David P. Hinkle, C. R. Valentini, Riccardo and Drake, Bert G. 2003. Cross validation of open-top chamber and eddy covariance measurements of ecosystem CO2 exchange in a Florida scrub-oak ecosystem. Global Change Biology 9(1): 84-95.

Dijkstra, Paul, Graham Hymus, Debra Colavito, David A. Vieglas, Christina M. Cundari, David P. Johnson, Bruce A. Hungate, C. Ross Hinkle, and Bert G. Drake. 2002. Elevated atmospheric CO2 stimulates aboveground biomass in a fire-regenerated scrub-oak ecosystem. Global Change Biology 8(1): 90-103.

Hymus, Graham J., Jean-Yves Pontailler, Jiahong Li, Peter Stiling, C. Ross Hinkle, and Bert G. Drake. 2002. Seasonal variability in the effect of elevated CO2 on leaf area index in a scrub-oak ecosystem. Global Change Biology 8(1): 931-940.

Li, J.-H, P. Dijkstra, G. J. Hymus, R.M. Wheeler, W.C. Piastuch, C.R. Hinkle and B.G. Drake. 2000. Leaf senescence of Quercus myrtifolia as affected by long-term CO2 enrichment in its native environment. Global Change Biology 6 (7), 727-733.

Day, F.P., E.P. Weber, C.R. Hinkle, & B.G. Drake. 1996. Effects of elevated CO2 on fine root length and distribution in an oak-palmetto scrub ecosystem in central Florida. Global Change Biology 2: 101-106.

Swain, H., C.R. Hinkle, and P.A. Schmalzer. 1993. Stewardship at the local level: a case study for Brevard County, Florida. p. 452-462. In: W.E. Brown and S.D. Viers, Jr. (eds.). Partners in Stewardship: Proceedings of the 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in Parks and on Public Lands. George Wright Society. Hancock, Michigan.

Hinkle, C.R., W. McComb, J.M. Safley, Jr., and P.A. Schmalzer. 1993. Mixed mesophytic forests. p. 203-253. In: W.H. Martin, S.G. Boyce, and A. C. Echternacht (eds.). Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States: Upland Terrestrial Communities. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
Schmalzer, P.A. and C.R. Hinkle. 1992. Recovery of oak-saw palmetto scrub after fire. Castanea 53:158-173.