लेखक: Lawrence R. Walker

Joanne M. Sharpe is an independent consultant specializing in fern ecology, long-term studies, the role of amateurs in ecological research, and education. She received her Ph.D. in Botany at the University of Georgia in 1988. She is currently a Research Associate with the NSF-funded Luquillo Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program in Puerto Rico where for the past 18 years she has monitored fern growth and spore production as part of rainforest productivity, hurricane impact and demographic research projects. She has published 10 articles and presented interim results at numerous professional meetings. She compiles the Annual Review of Pteridological Research for the International Association of Pteridologists and manages their membership database thus maintaining contact with pteridologists throughout the world.