Helen Michaels

Research Interests:

Conservation biology, conservation genetics, restoration, molecular ecology, molecular systematics & evolution, plant-pollinator interactions, plant physiological and evolutionary ecology.

Specific Projects:

Effects of population size on phenotypic plasticity, effects of population size and habitat structure on genetic variation, pollination, and fitness of Lupine (Lupinus perennis). Ecology and evolution of sexual and asexual plants; evolution and conservation genetics of Hawaiian geraniums.

Selected Publications:

Arnold, P. M.** and H. J. Michaels. 2017. Nectar sampling for prairie and oak savanna butterfly restoration. Applications in Plant Sciences 5(6) doi.org/10.3732/apps.1600148 

Walsh, R.P** and H.J. Michaels. 2017. When it pays to cheat: Examining how generalized food deception increases male and female fitness in a terrestrial orchid. PLoS ONE 12(1): e0171286. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0171286. 

Plenzler, M. and HJ Michaels. Terrestrial habitat quality impacts macroinvertebrate diversity in vernal pools. Wetlands 35(6): 1093-1103.DOI 10.1007/s13157-015-0697-4. Published online 16 September 2015.

Plenzler, M. and HJ Michaels. 2015. Seedling recruitment and establishment of Lupinus perennis in a mixed-management landscape. Natural Areas Journal 35(2): 224-234 doi: 10.3375/043.035.0203

Walsh, RP, PA Arnold, and HJ Michaels. 2014. The effects of pollinator limitation and seed predation on the reproductive success of the deceptive orchid, Cypripedium candidum (Muhl ex. Willd.). Annals of Botany – Plants, doi: 10.1093/aobpla/plu031. Editor’s Choice selection.

Kappler, R.H., H.J. Michaels and K.V. Root. 2012. Impact of mice seed predation on wild lupine in and near oak savanns. American Midland Naturalist. In press.

Michaels, H.J., X.J. Shi and R.J. Mitchell, 2008. Effects of population size on performance and inbreeding depression in Lupinus perennis. Oecologia 154(4): 651-661.

Bernhardt, C.E., R.J. Mitchell and H.J. Michaels. 2008. Effects of population size and density on pollinator visitation, pollinator behavior, and pollen tube abundance in Lupinus perennis. International Journal of Plant Sciences 169: 944-953.

Michaels, H.J., X.J. Shi and R.J. Mitchell. 2008. Effects of population size on performance and inbreeding depression in Lupinus perennis. Oecologia 154(4):651-61.