Brenda Molano-Flores
Professor of Plant Biology
Affiliate in Plant Biology
Assistant Research Scientist, Illinois Natural History Survey
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
387 NRB MC-652
(217) 265-8165
Education
Ph.D., 1997, University of Iowa,
M.S., 1991, Univ. of Puerto Rico
Research Overview
My research addresses a number of different topics in conservation biology. My main area of interest centers on the relationship of plant-insect interactions in prairies. I have conducted a variety of projects including the effects of habitat fragmentation on the reproductive output of prairie species, the differences between populations of prairie species found in native and restored prairies, and the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species.
Currently, I am the Coordinator for the Critical Trends Assessment Program (http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/). This is a statewide monitoring program that visits wetlands, grasslands, forests, and streams. Data on plants, birds, insects and aquatic insects (EPT) is collected. Previous to this position, I was the Prairie Restoration Ecologist at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, Illinois (http://www.fs.fed.us/mntp/index.htm). This large-scale prairie restoration project will ultimately restore up to 19,000 acres of pasture and cropland to tallgrass prairie. Midewin is one of the main sites where I conduct my prairie research.
Recent Publications
Molano-Flores B (2007) Seed germination of the Illinois-threatened Agalinis auriculata (Michx.) Blake (Orobanchaceae). Castanea 72 (2): 116-118.
Mulvaney CR, Molano-Flores B, Whitman DW (2006) Is insect herbivory contributing to the threatened status of Agalinis auriculata (Orobanchaceae) in Illinois? Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 133(4): 560-565.
Molano-Flores B (2004) Reproductive success of the federal endangered leafy prairie clover, Dalea foliosa in Illinois a third year of data. Castanea 69(1): 9-14.