J. Whitfield Gibbons
Encyclopedia
J. Whitfield "Whit" Gibbons (born October 5, 1939) is an American herpetologist, author, and educator. He is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia
, and Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
(SREL).
. He is the son of the late Robert F. Gibbons, author, and the late Janie Moore Gibbons, professor at the University of Alabama
. He received degrees in biology from the University of Alabama
(B.S.-1961; M.S.-1963) and in zoology from Michigan State University
(Ph.D. - 1967).
He is the author or editor of 20 books on herpetology
and ecology
and has published more than 250 articles in scientific journals. He has had commentaries on National Public Radio (Living on Earth, Science Friday, and others), and has had more than 1,000 popular articles on ecology published in magazines and newspapers, including a weekly environmental column distributed by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group. His encyclopedia articles have appeared in World Book, Compton
's, and for the past 25 years have included the annual summary of Zoology for the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book. He wrote the latest edition of Reptile and Amphibian Study, the merit badge booklet for the Boy Scouts of America
.
His research interests focus on the population dynamics and ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic vertebrates and have involved detailed population studies of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, particularly turtles. One objective has been to determine functional relationships between population parameters (e.g., survivorship, reproductive output, dispersal rate) and environmental conditions. A recent focus has been on documenting and explaining the distribution and abundance patterns of herpetofauna. The ultimate goals have been to explain findings at the ecological and evolutionary levels. An emphasis has been placed on application of basic research to environmental impact and conservation issues, particularly in regard to natural and degraded wetlands.
Gibbons has received the Henry Fitch Distinguished Herpetologist Award at the national/international Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for long-term excellence in the study of amphibian and reptile biology. He was awarded the IUCN Behler Turtle Conservation Award in recognition of long-term turtle research and conservation nationally and internationally. Other awards include the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association's First Place Award for the Best Radio Program, the South Carolina Governor's Award for Environmental Education, the Meritorious Teaching Award presented by the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB), the ASB Senior Research Award, and the C. W. Watson Award presented by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for contributions to wildlife conservation.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, and Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is a research unit of the University of Georgia, located at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. SREL is supported by federal, state, industry and foundation funding.Since the laboratory's founding in 1951 by Dr...
(SREL).
Life and work
Gibbons was born in Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
. He is the son of the late Robert F. Gibbons, author, and the late Janie Moore Gibbons, professor at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. He received degrees in biology from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
(B.S.-1961; M.S.-1963) and in zoology from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
(Ph.D. - 1967).
He is the author or editor of 20 books on herpetology
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
and ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and has published more than 250 articles in scientific journals. He has had commentaries on National Public Radio (Living on Earth, Science Friday, and others), and has had more than 1,000 popular articles on ecology published in magazines and newspapers, including a weekly environmental column distributed by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group. His encyclopedia articles have appeared in World Book, Compton
Compton
-Canada:* Compton, Quebec* Compton County, Quebec* Compton , a former Quebec provincial electoral district now part of Mégantic-Compton* Compton , a former Quebec federal electoral district-England:...
's, and for the past 25 years have included the annual summary of Zoology for the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book. He wrote the latest edition of Reptile and Amphibian Study, the merit badge booklet for the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
His research interests focus on the population dynamics and ecology of aquatic and semi-aquatic vertebrates and have involved detailed population studies of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, particularly turtles. One objective has been to determine functional relationships between population parameters (e.g., survivorship, reproductive output, dispersal rate) and environmental conditions. A recent focus has been on documenting and explaining the distribution and abundance patterns of herpetofauna. The ultimate goals have been to explain findings at the ecological and evolutionary levels. An emphasis has been placed on application of basic research to environmental impact and conservation issues, particularly in regard to natural and degraded wetlands.
Gibbons has received the Henry Fitch Distinguished Herpetologist Award at the national/international Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for long-term excellence in the study of amphibian and reptile biology. He was awarded the IUCN Behler Turtle Conservation Award in recognition of long-term turtle research and conservation nationally and internationally. Other awards include the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association's First Place Award for the Best Radio Program, the South Carolina Governor's Award for Environmental Education, the Meritorious Teaching Award presented by the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB), the ASB Senior Research Award, and the C. W. Watson Award presented by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for contributions to wildlife conservation.
Books
- Turtles: The Animal Answer Guide. 2009. (with Judy Greene). Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast. 2009. (with Judy Greene and Tony Mills). UGA Press.
- Frogs and Toads of the Southeast. 2008. (with Mike Dorcas). UGA Press.
- Turtles of the Southeast. 2008. (with K. Buhlmann and T. Tuberville). UGA Press.
- Snakes of the Southeast. 2005. (with Mike Dorcas). UGA Press. Winner of National Outdoor Book Award
- North American Watersnakes: A Natural History. 2004. (with Mike Dorcas). University of Oklahoma Press
- Ecoviews: Snakes, Snails, and Environmental Tales. 1998. (with Anne Gibbons). University of Alabama Press. Choice Outstanding Academic Book award.
- Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle. 1990. Smithsonian Institution Press.
- Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians. 1983. U. of Alabama Press.
External links
- Official website of SREL
- Faculty Page for Whit Gibbons
- SREL Herpetology
- Turtles: The Animal Answer Guide Book
- Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast Book
- Snakes of the Southeast Book
- Frogs and Toads of the Southeast Book
- Turtles of the Southeast Book
- North American Watersnakes: A Natural History Book
- Ecoviews Book
- Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians Book
- Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle Book
- University of Georgia
- University of Alabama
- Michigan State University