Dr. James Amon is a wetland scientist and microbial ecologist specializing in conservation ecology and restoration of wetlands. Projects include studies of wetland microbial communities, control of invasive plants and strategies for managing natural and man-made wetlands. Work includes both laboratory and field studies. In some studies wetlands have been built for bioremediation of wastewater and aquifer waters contaminated by chlorinated solvents and the microbial aspects of those systems are being researched using molecular techniques. Dr. Amon works with the community on wetland conservation and has been a leader in protection of the Beaver Creek Wetlands through the charitable organization the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association . He has been a key technical advisor to that organization for 25 years. He works with other nearby universities including the Air Force Institute of Technology on the nearby Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Much of the field laboratory work has been in the Beaver Creek Wetlands, a 2000 acre high quality groundwater fed wetland about 10 to 20 minutes from the school. Both large and small-scale experiments are underway. Other work has been done in the coastal wetlands of the Atlantic Ocean and in Costa Rican cloud forests. The on-campus labs are well equipped to carry out virtually any microbiological or ecological project. A greenhouse is available for selected projects.

Dr. Amon is an Emeritus Professor (retired) but continues to teach the summer Wetland Field Biology class (upper level/graduate), and a few research students work in his lab.

Representative Publications:

Frank H. Gleason, Frithjof C. Kupper, James P. Amon, Kathryn Picard, Claire M. M. Gachon, Agostina V. Marano, Te´lesphore Sime-Ngando and Osu Lilje . 2011.  Zoosporic true fungi in marine ecosystems: a review, Marine and Freshwater Research 62, 383–393.

Amon, J.P., Lambdin, P., and Weber, S. 2007. Cultivars of Purple Loosestrife Threaten Wetlands. Ohio Biological Survey, Ohio Invasive Plants Research Conference Proceedings.

James P. Amon, Abinash Agrawal, Michael L. Shelley, Bryan C. Opperman, Michael P. Enright, Nathan D. Clemmer, Thomas Slusser, Jason Lach, Teresa Sobolewski, William Gruner, Andrew C. Entingh. 2007. Development of a wetland constructed for the treatment of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated ethenes. Ecological Engineering 30: 51–66.

Amon, J.P, C. Jacobson and M. Shelley. 2005.  Constructed of Fens with and without hydric soils. Ecological Engineering 24: 341-357.

Amon, J.P. and K.H. French. 2004. Photoresponses of the marine protest Ulkenia sp zoospores to ambient, Artificial and bioluminescent light. Mycologia 96: 463-469.

Bohrer, K., C. Friese and J. Amon. 2004. Seasonal dynamics of aribuscular mycorrhizal fungi in differing wetland habitats. Mycorrhiza 14: 329-337.

Rousch, S. and J.P. Amon. 2003. Repopulation of Restored Wetland Habitant by Odonata (Dragon Flies and Damselflies). Ecological Restoration 221:174-179.

Amon, J. P., C. A. Thompson, Q. J. Carpenter and J. Miner 2002. Temperate zone fens of the glaciated Midwestern USA. Wetlands 22: 301-317

Weyrauch, S. and J.P. Amon. 2002. Relocation of amphibians to created seasonal ponds in Southwestern Ohio. Ecological Restoration 20: 31-36

Turner, S.D., R.M. J.P. Amon, Schneble, and C.F. Friese. 2000. Mycorrhizal fungi associated with plants in groundwater fed wetlands. Wetlands 20: 200-204

Wolters, J. V. K. M. Rowley, C. F. Friese, J. 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 Briuer, 1993.  Groundwater is hydrology source in Ohio fen creation.  Wetlands Research Program Bulletin 3:5-8 (Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experimental Station).

Schmalhofer, V.R., J.P. Amon and J.R. Runkle.  1992.  The vascular flora of a transect across the Beaver Creek Wetlands, Greene County, Ohio. Ohio J. Sci.  92:14-24.

Muehlstein,Lisa K., James P. Amon and Deborah L. Leffler.1988. Chemotaxis in the marine fungus Rhizophydium littoreum. Appl. and Environ. Microbiol. 54:1668-1672

Muehlstein, Lisa K., James P. Amon, And Deborah L. Leffler 1987. Phototaxis in the Marine Fungus Rhizophydium littoreum. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 53:1819-1821.