Dr. Semlitsch is a Professor in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a leader in amphibian ecology and has led the conservation of small isolated wetlands by documenting their importance to the survival of amphibians and reptiles. His most important work established the ecological connection between aquatic and terrestrial environments for semi-aquatic species and defined terrestrial habitat around wetlands as “core habitat” for management and conservation.
He currently is working on three projects that focus on the impacts of forest management on wetland-breeding amphibians, the balance between biodiversity conservation in isolated wetlands and land-use practices, and development of better wetland mitigation practices. He also has written several books, chapters, and over 170 scientific journal articles.