Expert Profile: Denis Conover | Research Directory

Education

Ph.D.: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, 1990 (biological sciences (specialty in Ecological plant physiology))

B.S.: University of Dayton Dayton, 1981 (Biology)

M.S.: University of Dayton Dayton, 1983 (Biology (specialty in Ecological plant physiology) )

Research and Practice Interests

My research focuses on various aspects of ecological restoration. This involves conducting vascular plant surveys of natural areas such as wetlands, forests and prairies. During such surveys, on several occasions I have been fortunate enough to discover previously unknown populations of rare native plants, such as the federally-endangered running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum). After locating such populations I then make recommendations on how to properly manage the sites for their protection. My research also includes studying ways of controlling invasive alien species such as Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei) in natural areas. Such invasive species present a major threat to the preservation of native plant species. Another project that I’m involved with is studying the impact of browsing by deer on plant populations in Hamilton County.

Positions and Work Experience

2007 -To Present Field Service (Educator) Associate Professor , Field Service Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Science of Arts and Sciences., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

2003 -2007 AAUP Represented Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati,

2000 -2003 AAUP Represented Assistant Professor, Taught biology courses in Department of Math and Applied Sciences at University College, University of Cincinnati,

1998 -2000 Visiting Assistant Professor, Taught biology courses in Department of Math and Applied Sciences at University College, University of Cincinnati,

1997 -1998 Annual Adjunct Assistant Professor, Taught biology courses in Department of Math and Applied Sciences at University College, University of Cincinnati,

1995 -1997 Visiting Assistant Professor, Taught biology and chemistry courses in the Department of Math and Applied Science at University College, University of Cincinnati,

1990 -1994 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Taught biology courses in the Department of Math and Applied Sciences at University College, University of Cincinnati,

1985 -1990 Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, Taught Biology lab courses in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati,

1991 -1998 Adjunct Professor . , Taught chemistry lecture and lab courses, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College,

1984 -1985 Visiting Instructor, Taught biology lecture and lab courses, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio

1981 -1983 Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, Taught a variety of biology lab courses, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio

Research Support

03-01-2011 -11-15-2011 Hamilton County Park District Vascular plant survey of Campbell Lakes Preserve Active Type:Grant

2010 -2011 Oxbow Incorporated Vascular Plant Survey of the Oxbow Area

2012 Chevron a vascular plant survey of the former Chevron refinery area at Hooven, Ohio, 2012. Level:Regional

Investigators:Denis Conover 03-01-2013 -09-30-2013 Floristic Quality Assessment of the Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve Role:PI Active Type:Contract Level:Local

Abbreviated Publications

Newsletters

"A Vascular Plant Survey of the Oxbow Area" by Denis G. Conover, Ph.D. for Wetland Matters the Newsletter for Oxbow Incorporated. March-April 2011, No. 148

Technical Report

Conover, D.G.(2011). Vascular Plant Survey of Campbell Lakes Preserve (Hamilton County Park District)

Conover, D.G. (2010). A Vascular Plant Survey of the Oxbow Area (Conducted for Oxbow Incorporated).

Conover, D.G. (1994-2009). Effect of Deer on vegetation in Hamilton County Parks (annual reports for Hamilton County Park District).

Conover, D.G.(1990-2010). Vascular Plant Surveys of Hamilton County Parks (annual reports for Hamilton County Park District).

Conover, D.G.(2000). Vascular plant species found on or near Oxbow Incorporated protected property based on observations made between October 1, 1997 and February 1, 2000. (Report for Oxbow Incorporated).

Geiger, D.R. and Conover, D.G. (1993). A report on the plant communities found in the Beavercreek Wetlands (Report for Greene County Park District).

Conover, D.G.(1996). A report on the plant communities found along the Great Miami River Corridor Between Dayton's Tait Station and Miamisburg's Rice Field based on observations made between July, 1995 and August, 1996 (Report for Five Rivers MetroParks).

Peer Reviewed Publications

Conover, D.G.,Wauligman, W.R. and Cody, K.(2011).Tipped Over Duck Nest Box Traps Turtles in a Restored Wetland (Ohio). In "Restoration Notes" section of Ecological Restoration 29: 211-212. Restoration Notes are reviewed and edited in-house unless additional expertise is required to evaluate the submission

Conover, D.G.(2011).Keystone Role of Beavers in a Restored Wetland (Ohio). In "Restoration Notes" section of Ecological Restoration 29: 212-213. Restoration Notes are reviewed and edited in-house unless additional expertise is required to evaluate the submission

Geiger, D.R., Conover, D.G., Wischmeyer, A.L., Brannen, D., & Jablonski, L.M. (2003). From Borrow Pit to Long-term Prairie Study Site. Proceedings of the 18th North American Prairie Conference 85-94.

Klein,J. and Conover,D.G. (2010). Restoring biodiversity by lowering deer numbers at Shawnee Lookout (Ohio). Ecological Restoration 28: 131-133

Conover,D.G. and Klein,J. (2010). Changes in a restored wetland during 18 years of management (Ohio). Ecological Restoration 28:248-250

Conover,D.G. and Pelikan,S. (2010) Earlier flowering in a restored wetland-prairie correlated with warmer temperatures (Ohio). Ecological Restoration 28: 428-430

Peer Reviewed Conover, D.G., and Geiger,D.R. (1999). Update on Glyphosate Control of Amur honeysuckle. The Ohio Woodland Journal (6:1, 13).

Peer Reviewed Conover, D.G., and Klein, J. (1994). Both planted and non-planted species populate restored wetland(Ohio). Restoration and Management Notes (12:2, 195-196).

Conover, D.G., and Geiger D.G. (1993). Glyphosate controls Amur honeysuckle in native woodland restoration (Ohio). Restoration and Management Notes (11:2, 168-169).

Peer-Reviewed Journals Conover, D.G., and Geiger D.G. (1989). Establishment of a prairie on a borrow-pit site at the Bergamo-Mount St. John Nature Preserve in Greene County, Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science (3, 42-44).

Conover,D.G., and Sovonick-Dunford, S.A. (1989). Influence of water deficits on the water relations and growth of Echinochloa turneriana, Echinochloa crus-galli and Pennisetum americanum. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 16, 291-304.

Peer-Reviewed Journals Geiger,D.R., and Conover, D.G. (1989). Prairie species used in borrow-pit reclamation (Ohio). Restoration and Management Notes (7:2, 108).

Burky,A.J., Benjamin, R.B., Conover, D.G., and Detrick, J.R. (1985). Seasonal responses of filtration rates to temperature, oxygen availability, and particle concentration of the freshwater clam Musculium partumeium (Say). American Malacological Bulletin 3, 201-212.

Peer-Reviewed Journals Conover,D.G., and Geiger, D.R. (1984). Germination of Australian Channel Millet [Echinochloa turneriana (Domin) J.M. Black] seeds. I. Dormancy in relation to light and water. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 11, 395-408.

Peer-Reviewed Journals Conover,D.G., and Geiger, D.R. (1984). Germination of Australian Channel Millet [Echinochloa turneriana (Domin) J.M. Black] seeds. II. Effects of anaerobic conditions, continuous flooding, and low water potential. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 11, 409-417.

Conover, D.G., and Sisson, T. (2016). Resurgence of Native Plants After Removal of Amur Honeysuckle From Bender Mountain Preserve (Ohio). September, 2016 issue of Ecological Restoration 34:3 187-190.

Tankersley, K.B., Conover, D.G., and Lentz, D.L. (2016). Stable Carbon Isotope Values (δ13C) of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and their Archaeological Significance. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 7 (2016) 189-194.

Conover, D. G., Geiger, D.R., and Sisson, T. (2016). Dormant Season Foliar Spraying Slows the Spread of Winter Creeper, English Ivy and Lesser Periwinkle in Wooded Natural Areas (Ohio). Ecological Restoration 34: 19-21.

Conover, D.G., Sisson, T., Boone, D., and Riestenberg, M. (2017). A List of the Vascular Plants of Bender Mountain Preserve (Including Adjacent Parts of the Delhi Township Property and Sister’s Hill). Ohio Biological Survey Notes 7:21-33, 2017.

Conover, D.G. (2017). Foliar Spraying with Glyphosate Kills Invasive Five-leaf Aralia in a Wooded Natural Area (Ohio). Ecological Restoration 35:2 85-86.

Tankersley, K.B., Conover, D.G., and Lentz, D.L. (2016). Stable Carbon Isotope Values (δ13C) of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and their Archaeological Significance. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 7 (2016) 189-194.

Tankersley, K.B., Conover, D.G., Lentz, D.L., Callihan, A., Weakley, J., Hassett, I., Platt, E., Laiveling, A., and Bradford, E. (2019). The Impact of Maize (Zea mays) on the Stable Carbon Isotope Values of Archaeological Soil Organic Matter. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports24 (2019) 324-329. (published February, 2019).

Newspaper Article

“Bringing the Past to Life in Shaker Trace Wetlands” by Billie Dziech – October 27, 2005 in College of Arts and Science of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati, News and Events Web Site. Article discusses my research. (http://asweb.artsci.uc.edu/CollegeMain/news_events/newsDetail.cfm?articleID=577

"U.C. Biologist Takes Survey of Plant Life" - article discussing my survey of the Schunk Woods for the Hamilton County Park District. Appeared Sunday, May 7, 2000 in The Cincinnati Enquirer.

“Budding Research Links Climate Change and Earlier Flowering Plants”
University of Cincinnati research published in the December issue of Ecological Restoration shows that global warming may be impacting the blooming cycle of area plants.” by John Bach – November 15, 2010 in University of Cincinnati, News and Events Web Site. Article discusses my research.

Editorial

“UC Research Finds That a Duck’s Boon Might be a Turtle’s Bane”
University of Cincinnati biologist Denis Conover discovers that overturned duck nest boxes can be death traps for wetland turtles. By Ryan Varney – November 3, 2011 in University of Cincinnati, News and Events Web Site. Article discusses my research

Presentations

Invited Presentations

Conover, D.G.,Wauligman, W.R. and Cody, K. (11-05-2011. ) Tipped Over Duck Nest Box Traps Turtles in a Restored Wetland (Ohio). Annual Meeting of the Kansas Herpetological Society, Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Kansas. Professional Meeting. . Level:National

Conover, D.G. (09-09-2011. ) Tipped Over Duck Nest Box Traps Turtles in a Restored Wetland (Ohio) .Presentation to Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, Avon Woods Nature Center, Cincinnati, OH. Level:Local

denis conover (02-14-2012. ) Observations on a Variety of Things in the Great Outdoors .talk presented to Oxbow, Inc., Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Level:Regional

Denis Conover (04-27-2013. ) Plants of the Western Wildlife Corridor .College of Mt. St. Joseph. Other Institution. . Level:Local

Denis G. Conover (09-2014. ) New Potentially Invasive Plants of This Region .. Presented at a conference on Invasive Plants , Cincinnati Ohio.

Tim Sisson and Denis Conover (03-2016. ) The Story of Bender Mountain .Cincinnati, Ohio. Level:Local

denis conover (07-22-2017. ) Rare plants found in the Shaker Trace Wetlands and Prairies. .Ohio Prairie Conference, Miami Whitewater Forest. Level:Regional

denis conover (04-08-2017. ) Slowing the Spread of Winter Creeper in Wooded Natural Areas in Ohio. Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting, University of Cincinnati.

Poster Presentations

Conover, D. G., Geiger, D.R., and Sisson, T. (02-2016. ) (2016 Dormant Season Foliar Spraying Slows Spread of Winter Creeper in Wooded Natural Areas. .OIPC Research Conference "Preventing, Understanding, and Combating Plant Invasions, Columbus, Ohio. . Level:State

Lecture

Denis Conover (2017. ) Conover, D. G., Geiger, D.R., and Sisson, T. (2017). Slowing the Spread of Winter Creeper in Wooded Natural Areas in Ohio. Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting .Cincinnati. Professional Meeting. Level:State

Denis Conover (2017. ) Conover, D. G. (2017). Rare plants found in the Shaker Trace Wetlands and Prairies .Miami Whitewater Forest. Professional Meeting. Level:State

Conover, Geiger, Sisson (2016. ) Dormant Season Foliar Spraying Slows Spread of Winter Creeper in Wooded Natural Areas. .Columbus. Professional Meeting. Level:Regional

Denis Conover (2014. ) New Potentially Invasive Plants of This Region .Cincinnati. Conference. Level:Regional

Denis Conover (2011. ) Tipped Over Duck Nest Box Traps Turtles in a Restored Wetland (Ohio) .Kansas. Professional Meeting. Level:Regional

Wischmeyer, A.L., Jablonski, L.M., Conover, D.G., and Geiger, D.R. (2000. ) Assessment of vegetation changes after 13 years of restoration at the Mount St. John/Bergamo prairie. .Ohio Northern University. Professional Meeting.

Honors and Awards

2007 Center for First Year Experience and Learning Communities University of Cincinnati Outstanding Learning Community Partner Award University of Cincinnati Learning Community Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition

2011 Faculty Honored by Darwin T. Turner Scholars, Jerome S. Jackson Breakfast of Champions Medal, 2011. Turner Scholar invited me as a mentor who has made a difference to them here at UC. The Turner scholars program targets first generation college students, students from underrepresented groups, and students with financial need. Status:Recipient Level:University Type:Recognition

Service

(Anatomy and Physiology Steering Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2012 -To Present

department of biological sciences Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 10-15-2012

department of biological sciences Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 04-16-2012

(Anatomy and Physiology Steering Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department

Oxbow, Inc. Board Member Type:Community Service Level:Local 1999

Oxbow, Inc. Type:Community Service Level:Local 08-25-2013

Fernald Preserve Type:Community Service Level:Local 07-06-2013