Southern
Research Station

Education

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University
  Concentration: Invasion Ecology, Plant Ecology, Population Genetics
• B.S. in Biology, University of Texas at Arlington
  Major: Biology, Minor: English

Research Interests

I possess a broad training in the fields of biology, ecology, and population genetics. My research focuses on mitigating and preventing exotic plant invasions in Southern forest communities. I utilize diverse approaches at various scales to elucidate generalizable characteristics associated with biological invasions. I combine the basic tenets of invasion biology with conservation biology to better address the needs of forest communities. I utilize both population and landscape genetics to identify the vectors and pathways that disperse propagules of undesirable plant species and range expansion dynamics in the invaded range. These data can then be utilized for more effective management of available resources by identifying target populations that source new invasive populations.

Current Research

• Introduction history: Lucardi RD, LE Wallace, GN Ervin (2014) Invasion Success in Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica): A Population Genetic Approach Exploring Genetic Diversity and Historical Introductions. Invasive Plant Sci. Manag. 7(1): 59-75.
• Interspecific hybridization: Lucardi RD, LE Wallace, GN Ervin (2014) Evaluating hybridization as a potential facilitator of successful cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) invasion in Florida, USA. Biol. Invasions 16(10): 2147-2161.

Research Features

• CompassLive Weekly (Southern Research Station’s Online Magazine; USFS twitter), 17 June 2014; “Why is Cogongrass So Successful at Invading the South?” by Z. Hoyle (http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2014/06/17/why-is-cogongrass-so-successful-at-invading-the-south/).
• National Association of State Foresters Blog, 20 June 2014; “Why is Cogongrass So Successful at Invading the South?” by Z. Hoyle (http://www.stateforesters.org/news-events/blog/why-cogongrass-so-successful-invading-south).
• United States Department of Agriculture, USDA Blog Homepage, 05 August 2014; “Why is Cogongrass So Successful at Invading the South?” by Z. Hoyle (http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/08/05/why-is-cogongrass-so-successful-at-invading-the-south/).
• Growing Alabama-The Business of Agriculture, 06 August 2014; “Why is Cogongrass So Successful at Invading the South?” by Z. Hoyle (http://growingalabama.com/news/2014/08/why-cogongrass-so-successful-invading-south/).

Outreach

• Natural Inquirer-Middle School Science Education Journal YouTube Channel: Dr. Lucardi on Genetics and Ecology: https://www.youtube.com/user/naturalinquirer/playlists