A5080411145- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Diverse Educational Innovations Studies
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Career Development and Diversity
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Plant and animal studies
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Seedling growth and survival studies
- Problem and Project Based Learning
- Higher Education Research Studies
- Tree-ring climate responses
- Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Innovative Teaching Methods
- Pasture and Agricultural Systems
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Environmental Education and Sustainability
Moravian University
2021-2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
2019-2023
The Ohio State University
2015-2019
Soil bacteria and fungi play key roles in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, yet our understanding their responses to climate change lags significantly behind that other organisms. This gap is particularly true for drylands, which occupy ∼41% Earth´s surface, because no global, systematic assessments joint diversity soil have been conducted these environments date. Here we present results from a study across 80 dryland sites all continents, except Antarctica, assess how changes...
Abstract Encroachment of woody plants into grasslands has occurred worldwide and includes coastal ecosystems. This conversion process is mediated by seed dispersal patterns, environmental filtering, biotic interactions. As spatiotemporally heterogeneous, harsh environments, barrier islands present a unique set challenges for establishment. Environmental conditions act as filters on dispersed seeds, thereby influencing encroachment distribution patterns. Seldom have patterns propagule been...
Restoration of degraded dunes through revegetation native dune building species is critical to preserve multiple ecosystem services (i.e., coastal protection, habitat). As exhibit high levels abiotic stress, it likely that facilitative interactions among plants occur, reducing stress caused by harsh conditions, and benefiting restoration efforts. The research was determine how plant spatial arrangement (clumped vs. dispersed) at the slope affects growth two dominant grasses along United...
Woody plant encroachment is influenced by interactions between the physical environment and vegetation, which create heterogenous microenvironments some of favor shrub recruitment through mitigation abiotic environment. Encroachment native shrub, Morella cerifera into grasslands on Hog Island, Virginia has been attributed to warmer winter temperature; however, seedlings in may be impacted multiple factors at level microhabitat. Our study focuses a critical gap understanding specifically...
Ecology and environmental (EE) biology has low representation of Black Indigenous People Color (BIPOC). Degree completion career placement in EE often fail due to poor consideration the intersections among student lived experiences academic support, peer community mentoring, leadership development that they receive. The demographic composition these disciplines, which are situated within geosciences, differs from broader society will continue do so until biases associated with dominant...
Abstract Shrub expansion is occurring in grasslands globally and may be impacted by the balance of competition facilitation with existing grasses. Along mid‐Atlantic Gulf coasts, native shrub Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) rapidly expanding displacing other coastal species. Recent research suggests that much this due to warming winter temperatures, as temperatures below −15°C kill M. . The objective project was understand importance species interactions grasses on growth physiology at...
Maritime forests are threatened by sea-level rise, storm surge and encroachment of salt-tolerant species. On barrier islands, these forested communities must withstand the full force tropical storms, hurricanes nor’easters while impact is reduced for mainland protected islands. Geographic position may account differences in maritime forest resilience to disturbance. In this study, we quantify two geographically distinct dunes on Virginia’s Eastern Shore (i.e., island) at time points (15 21...
Abstract Long‐term species persistence in plant communities is contingent part on the conditions that favor establishment and early survival. In stressful habitats, facilitated seedling can enhance richness by providing a safe‐site for unable to establish open microsites. However, indirect effects of competition may drive locations where seedlings occur high density. This under‐examined dynamic influence community recovery stress favoring competitively dominant species, particular when...