Dr. Aaron David is the Program Director of Plant Ecology at Archbold Biological Station. He completed is B.A. at Washington University in St Louis, and his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. He has been working in Florida ecosystems since 2016, including postdoctoral positions at the University of Miami and the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory prior to starting his position at Archbold in 2021. His research interests include plant population ecology, plant-microbe interactions, and biological control of invasive plants.

Aaron S. David, Ph.D.

Director of Plant Ecology, Assistant Research Biologist

Sterling joined the Plant Ecology Program in 2021, specializing in Florida Ziziphus, Perforate Reindeer Lichen, and Highlands Goldenaster, as well as community vegetation and rare plant surveys on the Lake Wales Ridge. Enthusiast of all things botany, life history strategy, Fabaceae, seed biology, prescribed burning, and his golden retriever. PhD, Saint Louis University; BS, Milligan University.

Sterling Herron, Ph.D.

Research Assistant V

The Florida perforate lichen (Cladonia perforata) is known from 4 regions of the state, and is 1 of only 2 federally endangered lichens. Unlike many lichens, this species is not known to reproduce sexually, and only reproduces through fragmentation. Unlike its neighboring plant species, it responds poorly to fire, yet still requires open sand to persist. Our long-term work seeks to quantify the dynamics of this mysterious species of the scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Lake Wales Ridge, Florida Wildlife Corridor

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Cladonia perforata populations are particularly slow growing. These lichens do not survive poorly, but fortunately, physically moving individuals out of harm's way before a fire can increase their survival.

The holey grail of the scrub

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