Member Institutions:

• Bowling Green State U.
• Cleveland State U.
• Kent State U.
• Medical College of Ohio
• Miami U.
• The Ohio State U.
• Ohio U.
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Toledo
• Wright State U.
• Youngstown State U.

Research Interests

Microbial Ecology in Wetlands.

Cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus and the relationships of bacteria and fungi to the function of wetland flora.

Restoration of Wetlands

Restoration principles combined with hydrology, soil composition and vegetation development. Elimination of undesirable species such as Reed Canary Grass and Purple Loosestrife (includes some genetic studies).

Fen Ecosystem Studies

Studies of fens of the glaciated temperate zone of the USA. Includes studies at over 70 sites in states from Nebraska to Ohio.

Phytoremediation Using Wetlands

Studies of how wetlands can be used to treat domestic and industrial waste using tolerant plans in subsurface flow systems similar in design to fens.

Teaching

General Microbiology

A course for Biology Majors covering a broad spectrum of topics in a coordinated lab and lecture experience.

Microbiology of Food

A popular course originally designed to train sanitarians now given mainly to biology majors. Covers all major pathogens, food storage and spoilage and lab winds up with an inspection of the Universities food service.

Wetlands Ecology

Primarily a field course given in a five week intensive period during the late summer. Based on the soils, hydrology and plants that define wetlands the course examines how ecological principles are related to jurisdictional determeinationof wetlands. Trips made to marshes, swamps, fens and bogs throughout Ohio. Practical experience in restoration and wetland delineation a part of the course.

Workshops

Project GREEN of the Miami Valley

Teaching local teachers how to evaluate the health of their ecosystems using physical, chemical and biological measurements.

Conservation Projects

Past President and founder of the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association located in Greene County. Protection, acquisition, restoration and enhancement of nearly 2000 acres of high quality wetland and surrounding buffers voluntarily carried out by public citizens.

Selected Publications

• Turner, S. D., J. P. Amon, R.M. Schneble, and C. F. Friese. 2000. Mycorrhizal fungi associated with plants in ground water fed wetlands. Wetlands 20:200-204.
• Wolters, J. L., K.M. Rowley, C.F. Friese, J.P. Amon and J. B. Robinson. 2000. Restoration of wetland diversity and microbial function: the use of soil amendments in created wetlands Ohio. Ecological Restoration 18:119-121
• Amon J.P. and Elke Bruier. 1993. Groundwater is hydrology source in Ohio fen Creation. Wetlands Research Program Bulletin 3(4):5-8.
• Schmalhoefer, V.R., Amon, J.P. and Runkle, J.R. 1992. The vascular flora in a part of the Beaver Creek Wetlands, Greene County, Ohio. Ohio Journal of Sci. 92:14-24.
• Roush, S. A. and J. P. Amon. 2001. Repopulation of restored wetland habitat by locally rare Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies). Ecological Restoration. (in revision)
• Weyrauch, S. and J. Amon. 2001. Relocation of Amphibians to Created Seasonal Ponds in Southwestern Ohio. Ecological Restoration (submitted March 2001)
• Amon, J. P., C.A. Thompson, Q. J. Carpenter, J. Miner. 2001. Temperate zone fens of the glaciated midwest. Wetlands (submitted April 2001)

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