Grantee Research Project Results
Ecology and Conservation: Predictions about Community Changes Due to Invasives
EPA Grant Number: GF9500667Title: Ecology and Conservation: Predictions about Community Changes Due to Invasives
Investigators: Craddock, Cheryl
Institution: University of Connecticut
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 1995 through January 1, 2000
Project Amount: $34,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1995) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Ecology , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Academic Fellowships
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to build on previous research in the area of ecology and conservation into various endangered plant species and to look at a larger scale than single species management. The project will build on experience gained from previous research conducted by this fellow. Specifically, the earlier research looked at the allozyme profile of Hedeoma todsenii, an endangered pennyroyal. Because the pennyroyal flowers infrequently, it was hypothesized that it reproduces clonally and this was investigated through protein electrophoresis. Other previous research includes working with Cirsium vinaceum, a threatened species of thistle. This plant occurs patchily along travertine streams. The research investigated whether this typically wind-dispersed species was capable of dispersing by water, and if so, if it was capable of traversing the inter-patch distances. In addition, earlier research led to the discovery of putative hybrids between C. vinaceum and C. parryi, a weedy species from the Rocky Mountains. The research used allozymes and seed head morphology of parentals and hybrids to find evidence of intermediacy. By examining the seed heads, it was possible to evaluate to what degree the hybrid experienced seed predation relative to the parent taxa, testing, in effect T.G. Whitham's "hybrids-as-sinks" hypothesis.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Ecology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology and Ecosystems, Cirsium vinaceum, Botany, ecosystem assessment, Hedeoma todsenii, ecosystem, community changes due to invasives, endangered plant speciesProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.