Betsie B. Rothermel, Ph.D.
Herpetology & Restoration Ecology Program Director, Associate Research Biologist
Current research interests:
- Population biology, behavioral ecology, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles
- Disturbance dynamics and community ecology of seasonal wetlands
- Restoration of agriculturally impacted wetlands and fire-suppressed sandhill
Recent Publications:
- Voves KC, Rothermel BB (2024) Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) densities and habitat suitability across a xeric-mesic gradient in peninsular Florida, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 19:336-350
- Stemle LR, Sorfleet JM, Moore CL, Christie JT, Searcy CA, Rothermel BB (2024) Growth and survival outcomes for immature Gopher Tortoises in contrasting habitats: a test of drone-based habitat assessment. Ecology and Evolution 14:e70509
- Stemle L, Rothermel BB, Searcy CA (2022) GPS technology reveals larger home ranges for immature Gopher Tortoises. Journal of Herpetology 56:172-179
- Kominoski JS, Fernandez M, Breault P, Sclater V, Rothermel BB (2021) Fire severity and post-fire hydrology drive nutrient cycling and plant community recovery in intermittent wetlands. Ecosystems 25:265-278
- Castellón TD, Anderson CD, Rothermel BB, Beck JL (2020) Differential effects of elevation and microtopography on Gopher Tortoise burrow distributions in southern Florida. Copeia 108:140-150
- Howell HJ+, Rothermel BB+, White KN, Searcy CA (2019) Gopher Tortoise demographic responses to a novel disturbance regime. Journal of Wildlife Management 84:56-65 +joint first authors