We focus on how human activities alter plant communities, plant-animal interactions, and ecosystem function. Most of our research focuses on the impacts of species invasion, where invasive plants or pests alter communities. These invasions represent a significant challenge to researchers and managers attempting to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Selected current species of focus Pale swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) Swallowwort research in our lab began in 2014. Two graduate students and four undergraduate students have led a wide variety of experimental, observational, field and greenhouse studies that have included plant competition and plant-animal interaction surveys. Our swallowwort research is in the writing stage, with lab alumni preparing manuscripts for publication. Mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) Mile-a-minute is an invasive annual vine which thrives in sunny edge habitat. The first two infestations in western New York were discovered in 2017 and 2018. Our group is leading control and research efforts at these two locations. We are in the third year of this DEC-funded project. Two graduate students and three undergraduate students have performed independent study and thesis research projects on this invasive species. European dewberry (Rubus caesius) European dewberry has been present in western New York for over a century, but only recently has become problematic. Its invasive potential was recently noted at both Ganondagan State Historic site and Taughannock Falls State Park. Our research on this species has three main foci: evaluating the effectiveness of control mechanisms, measuring impacts of invasion community composition, and comparing phenetic and genetic differences between known populations. This research began in 2020. |