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David H. Firmage
Clara C. Piper Professor of Environmental Studies
Biology
Affiliated Department(s):   Environmental Studies



Phone: 207-859-5730
Fax: 859-5705
Email: David.Firmage@colby.edu

Mailing Address:
5730 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901-8857
Education

B.S.EconomicsBrigham Young University1967
M.S.Botany:EcologyBrigham Young University1969
Ph.D.Botany: Ecology and SystematicsUniversity of Montana1973
Areas of Expertise:
  • Plant reproductive biology
  • Watersheds and water quality for lakes, rivers, and streams
  • Environmental issues
    • Other Courses Taught
    Course Course Title
    BI235 Horticulture
    Current Research

    Research in my lab involves problems in plant ecology. Studies have focused on the floral ecology of orchids in the Colby-Marston preserve, pollen viability and stigma receptivity, and solar tracking of several species in Israel. Current work includes a reproductive biology study of a rare plant in Bulgaria. I also direct water quality studies in local lakes and streams.

    In addition, recent studies with students have included watershed analyses to determine sources and amounts of phosphorus additions to lakes.

    Publications

  • Firmage, D. H. and F. R. Cole. 1984. The floral ecology of Platanthera blephariglottis. Amer. J. Bot. 71(5):700-710.
  • Firmage, D. H. 1988. Reproductive success and inflorescence size of Calopogon tuberosus (Orchidaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 75(9):1371-1377.
  • Labov, J.B. and Firmage, D.H. 1994. Introducing concepts of random ordering and random assignment of subjects: computer-assisted classroom and laboratory exercises. American Biology Teacher 56(3):169-173.
  • FirmageD. and R. Cole. 1999. The Challenges of Integrating Service-Learning in the Biology:Environmental Science Curriculum at Colby College. In: Acting Locally: Concepts and Models of Service-Learning in Environmental Studies, edited by Harold Ward, American Association for Higher Education. Wash. D. C.
  • Dafni, A.and D. Firmage. 2001. Pollen viability and longevity: practical, ecological and evolutionary implications. Plant Syst. & Evol. 222: 113-132
  • Firmage, D. H. and A. Dafni. 2001. Field tests for pollen viability; a comparative approach. Acta Hort. 561, ISHS, pp. 87-94.
  • Philip J. Nyhus, F. Russell Cole, David H. Firmage, Edward H. Yeterian. 2002. Enhancing the integration of research and education using an interdisciplinary undergraduate research symposium. CUR Quarterly, Sept. 23(1):16-23.
  • Philip J. Nyhus, F. Russell Cole, David H. Firmage and Phoebe S. Lehmann. 2002. Enhancing Education through Research in the Environmental Science Laboratory: Integrating GIS and Project-Based Learning at Colby College. Council of Undergraduate Research Quarterly, Sept. 23(1):34-40.
  • Nyhus, P. J., Cole, F. R., Firmage, D. H. & Yeterian, E. H. (2004). Teaching Fellows: An Innovative Approach to Facilitate the Integration of Research and Education at Colby College. In Reinvigorating the Undergraduate Curriculum: Lessons from the Integration of Research and Education. http://www.cur.org/publications/aire_raire/toc.asp (eds L. Kauffman & J. Stocks), Washington, D.C., Council of Undergraduate Research.