David Remucal

Curator of Endangered Plants
Adjunct Professor
[email protected]
Education
  • Ph.D. University of Colorado, Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology 2001
  • B.A. Carleton College, Biology 1993

Areas of Interest

Ex situ conservation, Rare plant conservation, Conservation horticulture, Seed longevity

Biography

The Plant Conservation Program works to promote the conservation of rare and native plant species of Minnesota, reaching region and nation-wide. Our focus is on individual species preservation, with a focus on applied research and ex situ conservation. We manage a long-term seed bank for rare plants and native orchids. As part of this work, we research the propagation of all of these species, with special attention to the complex propagation and ecology of terrestrial orchids. Our goal is to create a rigorously scientifically-supported set of guidelines and protocols for preserving and restoring some of the most complex species which are not currently restoration material as well as develop the infrastructure to support restoration efforts with these plants with field protocols and scaled-up production of the plants. As climate change and human manipulation of the environment progresses, this work becomes increasingly vital and must extend beyond pure basic research to application.

Outreach

We work with governmental units at nearly all levels in the region to promote ex situ conservation as well as manage projects in partnerships with them and NGOs. Being based at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum allows us to work closely with both volunteers and visitors to educate and develop an enthusiasm for plant conservation.

Select Publications

  • Vozniachuk I.P., Remucal D.J., Vlasava N.B., Skuratovich A.N., Yukhimuk A.N., Malysza J., Monterusso M., Vozniachuk N.L., Moe P. Integrative ecological and genetic monitoring of cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) populations on the southern border of the European and North American area (in Belarus and Minnesota). Submitted.
  • Remucal, D.J. 2016 Endangered species conservation at public gardens: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum highlighting ex situ. Vestsі Natsyyanalnay Akademіі Navuka Belarusi. 99-101; Miller D, Remucal D 2016 Conservation and utilization of buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) in Minnesota. Vestsі Natsyyanalnay Akademіі Navuka Belarusi. 96-98
  • Remucal D 2015 Developing Ex Situ Conservation of Orchids. Conference proceedings. International Seminar “Strategies and Techniques of Botanical Gardens on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity of the Natural Flora – III”. Minsk, Belarus