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Brenda Molano-Flores

Principal Research Scientist, Plant Ecology

Research Interests

plant-insect interactions, reproductive biology of plants, population biology, conservation biology; restoration

Research Description

My research addresses a number of topics in plant reproductive ecology and conservation biology. Currently my emphasis is in four areas: plant interactions, rare plant conservation, reproductive ecology and seed ecology.

Education

Ph.D., 1997, University of Iowa
M.S., 1991, Univ. of Puerto Rico

Additional Campus Affiliations

Principal Research Scientist, Plant Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey
Research Associate Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Affiliate, Plant Biology
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Entomology

Recent Publications

Chong, J. P., Minnaert-Grote, J., Zaya, D. N., Ashley, M. V., Coons, J., Ramp Neale, J. M., & Molano-Flores, B. (2024). Genetic Diversity and Structure of Physaria on the Kaibab Plateau: Implications for Conservation. Ecology and Evolution, 14(11), Article e70523. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70523

Davis, O. N., Molano-Flores, B., Li, Y. W., Allen, M. L., Davis, M. A., Parkos, J. J., McIntyre, S., Di Giovanni, A. J., McElrath, T. C., Carter, A., Evansen, M., Sheehan, C., & Gerber, L. R. (2024). A new metric for conducting 5-year reviews to evaluate recovery progress under the Endangered Species Act. Conservation Science and Practice, 6(8), Article e13158. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13158

Davis, O. N., Molano-Flores, B., Li, Y. W., Allen, M. L., Davis, M. A., Mengelkoch, J. M., Parkos, J. J., Porreca, A. P., Fournier, A. M. V., Tiemann, J., Bried, J., Marcum, P. B., Carroll-Cunningham, C. J., Janssen, E. D., Ulaszek, E. F., McIntyre, S., Price, E. P. F., Nieset, J., Beveroth, T., ... Gerber, L. R. (Accepted/In press). Tracking species recovery status to improve U.S. endangered species act decisions. Conservation Science and Practice, 6(8), Article e13159. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13159

Janssen, E., Johnson, S. A., Glass, N., Dickerson, P., Whelan, C. J., & Molano-Flores, B. (2024). Impacts of road salt on seed germination of Thuja occidentalis found in natural communities adjacent to the Illinois Tollway in northeastern IL, USA. Botany, 102(8), 340-348. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjb-2023-0137

Molano-Flores, B., Dickerson, P., McIntyre, S., Nieset, J., & Dietrich, C. H. (2024). A Three-Year Survey of the Rare Stem-Boring Moth Papaipema eryngii (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Natural Areas Journal, 44(1), 21-26. https://doi.org/10.3375/2162-4399-44.1.21

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