Evolutionary ecology of clonal, perennial plants
Through habitat conversion, climate change, and the introduction of taxa into non-native areas, humans are drastically altering the environments in which organisms live. A primary challenge in evolutionary ecology today is understanding how organisms are responding to such human activity. I am interested in uncovering the drivers that govern the distribution of plant populations and species, both at broad and fine scales, and in exploring how human-mediated influences may impact contemporary and future species distributions, with a focus on perennial, clonal plants. For my dissertation research, I utilized interdisciplinary approaches in a comparative framework (native versus invasive populations) to gain insight into how climate, sexual reproduction, and clonality affect the distribution of one of the world's most charismatic, aggressive plant invaders: kudzu (Pueraria montana). Aside from invasive species, I also have interest in and have worked with plants of agricultural and conservation importance.
What are the potential underlying ecological and evolutionary factors contributing to the distribution of species?
