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Dr. Robert Tompkins

Associate Professor,

Biology & Biochemistry

roberttompkins@bac.edu

Meet Dr. Robert Tompkins

OF NOTE:

KNOWN FOR:

When not in the classroom, can often be found:

Popular quote:

Classes

Examples of the classes taught by Dr. Robert Tompkins:

General Biology
Research Methods
Plant Ecology
Plant Taxonomy
Economic Botany
Environmental Science
Senior Seminar
Organismal Biology

Education

Clemson University, Major: Plant and Environmental Sciences, Ph.D., 2011.
North Carolina State University, Major: Botany, M.S., 1996.
Guilford College, Major: Biology, B.S., 1990

Representative Publications and Presentations

Tompkins, R.D. Exotic species occurrence in remnant and restored Eastern prairie ecosystems and their relation to native species richness, evenness, and functional abundance. 2019. American Midland Naturalist 182:1-11.
Tompkins, R.D. and C.M. Luckenbaugh. 2018. Vascular flora of Crowders Mountain State Park. Castanea 83:236-248.
Tompkins, R.D., C. A. McAllister and S. Bloom. 2015. Polyploidy levels for some remnant eastern big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations: implications for conservation and restoration. Ecological Restoration 33:289-296.
Tompkins, R.D. 2013. Prairie-relict communities of a Piedmont monadnock. Castanea 78:185- 197.
Tompkins, R.D and W. C. Bridges, Jr. 2013. Restoration and species diversity of an eastern prairie. Native Plants Journal 14:101-113.
Tompkins, R.D., W.C. Stringer, *K.H. Richardson, E.A. Mikhailova and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 2013. A microhabitat study of eastern Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations: associated species and edaphic factors. Bartonia 66:1-23.
Tompkins, R.D., D. Trapnell, J.L. Hamrick, and W.C. Stringer. 2012. Genetic variation within and among remnant Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii, Poaceae) populations in the Carolinas. Southeastern Naturalist 11:455-468.
Tompkins, R.D., W.C. Stringer, and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 2011. An outcrossing reciprocity study between remnant Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations in the Carolinas. Ecological Restoration 29:339-345.
Tompkins, R.D., W.C. Stringer, *K.H. Richardson, E.A. Mikhailova and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 2010. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii: Poaceae) communities in the Carolinas: Composition and ecological factors. Rhodora 112:378-395.
Tompkins, R.D., C.M. Luckenbaugh, W.C. Stringer,*K.H. Richardson, E.A. Mikhailova and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 2010. Suther Prairie: Vascular flora, species richness and edaphic factors. Castanea 75:232-244.
Tompkins, R.D., W.C. Stringer, *K.H. Richardson, E.A. Mikhailova and W.C. Bridges, Jr. 2010. A newly documented and significant Piedmont prairie site with a Helianthus schweinitzii Torrey & A. Gray (Schweinitz’s Sunflower) population. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 137:120-129.
Tompkins, R.D. 2004. An ecological study of Magnolia macrophylla in Gaston County, North Carolina. Castanea. Occasional Papers in Eastern Botany 2:178-185.
Tompkins, R.D. and J.M. Stucky. 2000. Microhabitat study of Lotus unifoliatus var. helleri: microdistribution, associated species, and potential effects of roadside mowing. Castanea 65:213- 220.

Other Publications

Tompkins, R.D. & D. R. Beagle. 2009. The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr. (Book). 124 pp. Xlibris. Philadelphia, PA.
Tompkins, R.D. 2000. An ecological approach to teaching botany. Bios 71:137-138.

Conference Presentations

Restoration and species diversity of an eastern prairie. 8th Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Charlottesville, VA. Oct. 2012.
Genetic variation within and among Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii, Poaceae populations in the Carolinas. 8th Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Charlottesville, VA. Oct. 2012.
An outcrossing reciprocity study between remnant Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) populations in the Carolinas. 7th Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Knoxville, TN. Oct. 2010.
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) communities in the Carolinas: Composition and ecological factors. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting. Asheville, NC. April 2010.
Suther Prairie: Vascular Flora; Species Richness; and Edaphic Factors. 6th Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Columbia, SC. Oct. 2008.
An Ecological Study of Magnolia macrophylla in Gaston County, NC. Andre′ Michaux International Symposium. Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC. May 2002.
Magnolia macrophylla (Big-leaf Magnolia) in Gaston Co., NC. Botanical Society of America’s Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. Aug. 2001.
A Preliminary Study of Magnolia macrophylla in Gaston County, NC. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. April 2001.
Microhabitat Study of Lotus unifoliatus var. helleri: Microdistribution, Associated Species, and Potential Effects of Roadside Mowing. Piedmont Ecology and Conservation Symposium, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Gastonia, NC. Nov. 2000.
The Microhabitat and Spatial Patterning of Lotus unifoliatus var. helleri: A Candidate Endangered Species for NC. Annual Meeting of the NC Academy of Science at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. March 1996.

Invited Lecture Presentations

SC Native Plant Society. “Remnant Piedmont Prairies: Their History, Ecology, and Future” May 28, 2019.
Winthrop University. “Remnant Prairie/Savanna Communities of the Carolina Piedmont: Their Ecology, Genetics, and Conservation”. Fall 2014.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. “Piedmont Prairies.” Summer 2011.
York County, SC Museum of Natural History Lecture. “The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr.” Winter 2010.
Rotary Club of Gastonia, NC Lecture. “The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr.” Fall 2009.
Belmont Abbey College Faculty Lecture Series “The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr.” Fall 2009.
Belmont Abbey College Faculty Lecture Series. “A Piedmont Prairie” Fall 2009.
Gaston County, NC Public Library Lecture. “The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr.” Fall 2009.
Gaston County, NC Historical Museum Lecture. “The Life and Art of Ralph Ray, Jr.” Fall 2009.
Guilford College Biology Alumni Presentation. “Magnolia macrophylla in NC” Fall 2001.
Belmont Abbey College Faculty Lecture Series. “Native Spring Wildflowers of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden” Spring 1998.