Dr. Joanna M. Tucker Lima

Living Collections Manager

305-667-3800 ext. 102
joannat@montgomerybotanical.org

Montgomery Botanical Center

11901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156 USA

Dr. Tucker Lima joined Montgomery Botanical Center in 2016 as Living Collections Manager. Her work involves leading the Collection Development team, managing MBC’s plant database, facilitating and developing research using the living plant collection and its records, and advancing fieldwork to further develop the living collections.

Joanna’s academic and professional background has been broadly interdisciplinary, with a consistent focus on tropical plant ecology, including research and fieldwork on secondary forest regrowth in the Brazilian Amazon, plant population ecology, and phenology. Joanna developed a passion for palms during her first visit to the Amazon in 1994, and ever since, she has continuously returned to research questions that investigate the remarkable and unique biology of the palm family.

Joanna’s research interests include palm ecology and phenology, reproductive ecology, and the conservation and sustainable use of plants.

Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Ecology
University of Florida

Master of Arts in Latin American Studies (minor in Botany)
University of Arizona

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management
Indiana University

Publications & Research

Selected Peer-Reviewed Research

Pinheiro, R.M., Ferreira, E.J.L., Barros, Q.S., Gadotti, G.I., Alechandre, A., and Tucker Lima, J.M. 2024.  Physical characteristics and dimensional analysis of Brazil Nut seeds: implications for germination, post-harvest and optimization of industrial processing. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 67:e24240111

Tucker, D.A., Calonje, M., Tucker Lima, J., and Griffith, P. 2024. Cycad Conservation Through Propagation: Insights From Montgomery Botanical Center. p. 24 in Barstow, M., Dobai, N. and Cowell, C. The importance of botanic gardens in tackling the illegal plant trade. BGCI, Richmond, UK.

Diaz-Martin, Z., Fant, J., Havens, K., Cinea, W., Tucker Lima, J.M. and Griffith, M.P. 2023. Current management practices do not adequately safeguard endangered plant species in conservation collections. Biological Conservation 280: 109955.

Whitaker, M. R. L., S. Salzman, X. Gratacos, J. M. Tucker Lima. 2021. Localized Overabundance of an Otherwise Rare Butterfly Threatens Endangered Cycads. Florida Entomologist, 103(4):519-522.

Elias, G.A., R. Colares, A.R. Atunes, P.T. Padilha, J.M. Tucker Lima, R. Santos. 2019. Palm (Arecaceae) communities in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: a phytosociological study. Floresta e Ambiente.

Noblick, L.R., J.M. Tucker Lima, I.R. Valdes. 2018. Nypa fruticans in the western Atlantic: potential for recolonization? Palms 62:175-184.

Tucker Lima, J.M., N.M. Caruso, J. Clugston, K.A. Kainer. 2018. Landscape change alters reproductive phenology and sex expression in Attalea palms (Arecaceae) of southwestern Amazonia. Plant Ecology 10:1225-1245.

Elias, G.A., A.L. Gaspar, J.M. Tucker Lima, K.P. Soares, M. Molz, R. Santos. 2016. Community structure of large native arborescent palms (Arecaceae) using data from the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 10:156-163.

Tucker Lima, J.M., C.L. Staudhammer, T.J. Brandeis, F.J. Escobedo, W. Zipperer. 2013. Temporal dynamics of a subtropical urban forest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2001-2010. Landscape and Urban Planning 120:96-106.

Zarin, D.J., M.J. Ducey, J.M. Tucker, W.B. Salas. 2001. Potential biomass accumulation in Amazonian regrowth forests. Ecosystems 4:658-668.

 

 

Full List of Peer Reviewed Research

Pinheiro, R.M., Ferreira, E.J.L., Barros, Q.S., Gadotti, G.I., Alechandre, A., and Tucker Lima, J.M. 2024.  Physical characteristics and dimensional analysis of Brazil Nut seeds: implications for germination, post-harvest and optimization of industrial processing. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 67:e24240111

Diaz-Martin, Z., Fant, J., Havens, K., Cinea, W., Tucker Lima, J.M. and Griffith, M.P. 2023. Current management practices do not adequately safeguard endangered plant species in conservation collections. Biological Conservation 280: 109955.

Whitaker, M. R. L., S. Salzman, X. Gratacos, J. M. Tucker Lima. 2021. Localized Overabundance of an Otherwise Rare Butterfly Threatens Endangered Cycads. Florida Entomologist, 103(4):519-522.

Elias, G.A., J.M. Tucker Lima, R. Santos.  2019. Threatened flora from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil: Arecaceae.  Hoehnea 46:e322018.

Elias, G.A., E.L Hettwer Giehl, A.L. de Gasper, J.M. Tucker Lima, R. dos Santos. 2019. Low temperature extremes influence both the presence of palms and palm species richness in the Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil. Ecología Austral 29:41-49.

Elias, G.A., Colares, R. Antunes, A.R., Padhilha, P.T., Tucker Lima, J.M., Santos, R. 2019. Palm (Arecaceae) communities in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. A phytosociological study. Floresta e Ambiente 26(4):e201804413.

Noblick, L.R., J.M. Tucker Lima, I.R. Valdes. 2018. Nypa fruticans in the western Atlantic: potential for recolonization?  Palms 62:175-184.

Tucker Lima, J.M., N.M. Caruso, J. Clugston, K.A. Kainer. 2018. Landscape change alters reproductive phenology and sex expression in Attalea palms (Arecaceae) of southwestern Amazonia. Plant Ecology 10:1225-1245.

Elias, G.A., A.L. Gasper, J.M. Tucker Lima, G. Lodetti, R. Santos. 2018. Native understory palms (Arecaceae) of the Atlantic Forest in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. Rodriguesia 69:693-698.

Griffith, M.P., G. Barber, J. Tucker Lima, M. Barros, C. Calonje, L.R. Noblick, M. Calonje, T. Magellan, M. Dosmann, T. Thibault, N. Gerlowski. 2018. Plant collection “half-life”: Can botanic gardens weather the climate?  Curator The Museum Journal 60:395-410.

Tucker Lima, J.M., M.P. Griffith. 2017. The Nationally Accredited Tropical Conifer CollectionTM at Montgomery Botanical Center.  Public Garden 32:18-19.

Tucker Lima, J.M., A. Vittor, S. Rifai, D. Valle. 2017. Does deforestation promote or inhibit malaria transmission in the Amazon? A systematic literature review and critical appraisal of current evidence. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 372:20160125.

Sevá, A.P., L. Mao, F. Galvis-Ovallos, J.M. Tucker Lima, D. Valle. 2017. Risk analysis and prediction of visceral leishmaniasis dispersion in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.  PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 11:e0005353.

Tucker Lima, J.M., D. Valle, E.M. Moretto, S.M.P. Pulice, N.L. Zuca, D.R. Roquetti, L.E.C. Beduschi, A.S. Praia, C.P.F. Okamoto, V.L. da Silva CArvalhaes, E.A. Branco, B. Barbezani, E. Labandera, K. Timpe, D. Kaplan. 2016. A social-ecological database to advance research on infrastructure development impacts in the Brazilian Amazon. Scientific Data 3:160071 doi: 10.1038/sdata.2016.71.

Elias, G.A., A.L. Gaspar, J.M. Tucker Lima, K.P. Soares, M. Molz, R. Santos. 2016. Community structure of large native arborescent palms (Arecaceae) using data from the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 10:156-163.

Valle, D., J.M. Tucker Lima, J. Millar, P. Amratia, U. Haque. 2015. Bias in logistic regression due to imperfect diagnostic test results and practical correction approaches. Malaria Journal 14:434-442.

Valle, D., J.M. Tucker Lima. 2014. Large-scale drivers of malaria and priority areas for prevention and control in the Brazilian Amazon region using a novel multi-pathogen geospatial model. Malaria Journal 13:443-455.

Tucker Lima, J.M., C.L. Staudhammer, T.J. Brandeis, F.J. Escobedo, W. Zipperer. 2013. Temporal dynamics of a subtropical urban forest in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2001-2010. Landscape and Urban Planning 120:96-106.

Timilsina, N., W.P. Cropper, F.J. Escobedo, J.M. Tucker Lima. 2013. Predicting understory species richness from stand and management characteristics using regression trees. Forests 4:122-136.

Carvalho, A.L., E.J.L. Ferreira, J.M. Tucker Lima. 2010. Floristic and structural comparisons among palm communities in primary and secondary forest fragments of the Raimundo Irineu Serra Environmental Protection Area – Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil. Acta Amazônica 40:657-666.

Tucker Lima, J.M. 2009. Flower color variation in Attalea phalerata (Arecaceae). Palms 53:197-203.

Tucker Lima, J.M. 2007. Flowering and fruiting of two native oil-producing Attalea palms in Acre and Rondônia, Brazil: A potential oil source for biodiesel. Revista Brasileira de Agroecologia 2:1310-1313.

Araújo, M.M., J.M. Tucker, S.S. Vasconcelos, D.J. Zarin, W. Oliveira, P.D. Sampaio, L.G. Rangel-Vasconcelos, F. de Assis Oliveira, R.F.R. Coelho, D.V. Aragão, I. Miranda. 2005. Padrão e processo sucessionais em florestas secundárias de diferentes idades na Amazônia Oriental. Ciência Florestal 15:343-357.

Coelho, R.F.R., D.J. Zarin, I.S. Miranda, J.M. Tucker. 2003a. Recruitment and mortality in a forest in different successional stages in Castanhal, Pará. Acta Amazônica 33:619-630.

Coelho, R.F.R., D.J. Zarin, I.S. Miranda, J.M. Tucker. 2003b. Floristic composition and structure of a forest in different successional stages in Castanhal, Pará. Acta Amazônica 33:563-582.

Lemos, M.C., T. Finan, R. Fox, D. Nelson, J. Tucker. 2002. The use of seasonal climate forecasting in policymaking: lessons from Northeast Brazil. Climatic Change 55:479-507.

Zarin, D.J., M.J. Ducey, J.M. Tucker, W.B. Salas. 2001. Potential biomass accumulation in Amazonian regrowth forests. Ecosystems 4:658-668.

Moran, E.F., E.S. Brondízio, J.M. Tucker, M.C. da Silva-Forsberg, S. McCracken, I.C. Falési. 2000a. Effects of soil fertility and land use on forest succession in Amazonia. Forest Ecology and Management 139:93-108.

 Tucker, J.M., E.S. Brondízio, E.F. Moran. 1998. Rates of forest regrowth in eastern Amazonia: a comparison of Altamira and Bragantina Regions, Pará State, Brazil. Interciencia 23:64-73.

Moran, E.F., A. Packer, E. Brondízio, J. Tucker. 1996. Restoration of vegetation cover in the eastern Amazon. Ecological Economics 18:41-54.

Field Experience

Brazil

1994-2003, 2005-2008, 2017

Member

Botanical Society of America

International Palm Society