Dr. Donna Wear

Dr. Donna Wear

Classes taught
  • BIOL 1107 & 1108: Principles of Biology I & II
  • BIOL 4100: Principles of Ecology
  • BIOL 4150: Evolutionary Biology
  • BIOL 4950: Animal Behavior
  • BIOL 4420: Herpetology
  • BIOL 3120: Man and the Environment
  • BIOL 4950: Urban Ecology
  • BIOL 4950: Barrier Island Ecology
  • Study Abroad Programs in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico and Costa Rica
Educational/Career Background
  • B.S., Shorter College, Natural Sciences
  • M.A., Appalachian State University, Biology
  • PhD., Mississippi State University, Biology
Fun Fact(s)

In science, the organism you study does not matter. It is the question that is important!
Georgia's state reptile is the gopher tortoise 

Membership to Biology Societies
  • Gopher Tortoise Council (lifetime member)
  • Gopher Tortoise Council (lifetime member)
Research Interests 
  • Watershed ecology
  • Shoals spider lily (Hymenocallis coronaria)
  • Ecology of upland habitats
  • Phenology of temporal wetlands
Current Undergraduate Research Projects and Students 
  • Gopher Tortoise Council (lifetime member)
  • Gopher Tortoise Council (lifetime member)
Former Research Students What They are Doing Now 
  • Sherry Banks (M.S., University of Massachusetts, Boston, Environmental Specialist, the Environmental Protection Agency)
  • Garrick McGrath (D.M.D. at Georgia Health Sciences University)
  • Brandy Quarles (Research Coordinator, Department of Neuroscience, Georgia Health Sciences University)
  • Robert Thornhill (Health Specialist, Columbia County Government)
  • Paige Williams (pursuing a master's degree in Animal Nutrition, University of Georgia)
  • Taylor Winkleman (pursuing a doctorate in veterinary medicine, University of Georgia)
  • Russell Ingram (pursuing a master's degree in botany, East Tennessee State University)
  • Jamie Dowd (Department of Natural Resources)
  • Amy Edmonds (pursuing a degree as a physician's assistant, University of Alabama, Birmingham)
Publications

REPORTS (R), ABSTRACTS (A), PUBLICATIONS (PB), POSTERS (P): 

Wear D, Gordon, J.  2016. Reproductive status of the shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria (Le Conte) Kunth (Liliaceae) in the Savannah River Basin, Augusta, GA, USA. Botany Conference. Savannah, GA. (PR and A)

Wear D, Sayre J.  2016. Mercury accumulation and endocrine disruption in largemouth bass in the Rae's Creek watershed, Augusta, GA. GA and AL Conference of the American Fisheries Society. Columbus, GA. (P)

Hobbs N, Wear D.  2013.  Is phytoremediation consistent with concentrations of mercury in largemouth bass in the Rae’s Creek Watershed?  CURS Brown Bag. (PR)

Wear D, Fernandez-Rundel J., Thiruvaiyaru D.  2012. Mercury concentrations in largemouth bass in the Rae’s Creek watershed. Southeastern Lake and Watershed Management Conference. Columbus, GA. (PR)

2011 - Gordon, JE, Wear DJ. Parameters affecting the success of protected shoals spider lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, in the Savannah River Basin, Georgia. Natural Areas Journal. 31:34-42. (PB) 

2010 - Quarles B, Hayden D, Campbell J, and Wear DJ. Epiphytic diatom diversity: indicators of water quality. Phi Kappa Phi Symposium. Augusta State University, Augusta, GA. (P)

2009 - Ingram RJ, Wear DJ. Effects of a summer prescription burn on gopher tortoise forage. 31st Annual Gopher Tortoise Council Meeting. Gainesville, FL. (A)

2007 - Singleton WD, Benson BL, Banks SL, Andrus J, Wear DJ. Isolation of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in Rae's Creek. Phi Kappa Phi Symposium. Augusta State University, Augusta, GA. (P)

2007 - Crews PP, McGrath G, Wear DJ. Mercury bioaccumulation in fish of various trophic levels in Rae's Creek. Phi Kappa Phi Symposium. Augusta State University, Augusta, GA. (P)

2007 - Dunn LT, Saul BM, Wear DJ. A study of the population density on the intertidal salt marsh periwinkle. Phi Kappa Phi Symposium. Augusta State University, Augusta, GA. (P)

2007 - Gordon JE, Wear DJ. Assessing the status of the Savannah Shoals Spider Lily, Hymenocallis coronaria (La Conte) Kunth. 2007 Georgia Water Resources Conference, Athens, GA. (A)

2005 - Thornhill RJ, Wear DJ. A health assessment of Hymenocallia coronaria on the Savannah River. The Nature Conservancy. Savannah, GA. (R)

2004 - Wear DJ. Patterns of dispersion and burrowing activity of waif gopher tortoises. Non-Game Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Social Circle, GA. (R)

2002 - Wear DJ, Hawkins BC and Dowd JW. A preliminary analysis of forest vegetation associated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus, Tricholoma magnivelare, Veracruz, Mexico. Latin American Monograph Series.(PB)

2002 - Wear DJ, Kiel DE and Altig R. Interobserver survey comparisons: stream frogs in southeastern Madagascar and a lab test. Herpetological Natural History. (PB)

2000 - Sullivan MJ, Wear DJ. Effects of nutrient enrichment on the production dynamics and community structure of epiphytic seagrass diatom assemblages. International Diatom Symposium, Athens, Greece. (A)

1999 - Wear DJ, Sullivan MJ, Moore AD, Millie DF. Effects of nutrient enrichment on the production dynamics of three seagrass species and their epiphytic algae. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 179:201-213 (PB)