The timing of phenology (i.e. life cycle events) is a critical determinant of the health and long term success of plant species. For plants to survive and reproduce, the timing of their phenological events (ex. leaf-out or flowering) must synchronize with a number of environmental factors, including the seasonal climate cycle and the life cycle of neighboring species. Mistiming in phenology can place plants at risk of exposure to extreme climate conditions (such as winter frost), lost access to seasonal resources (such as soil nutrients), and negative biotic interactions (such as increased competition or lost access to pollinators). In the face of global anthropogenic change, disturbances such as climate change and invasive species are driving rapid environmental shifts in temperature and species composition. Such factors are projected to alter the rate of phenological mistiming and threaten the long-term success of many plant communities. In my PhD work at the University of Pittsburgh, I studied the drivers and consequences of anthropogenic disturbance on plant community phenology. My specific research focus included:
Drivers of phenological timing: Determining the effects of climate on phenology within invaded plant communities
I have harnessed global-scale observational datasets, in the form of museum records, citizen science observations, and historic climate records, to a) uncover the innate differences in phenological strategies between native and nonnative plant species, and b) determine how phenological strategies are shaped by regional climate across the multi-continental ranges of nonnative species.
Consequences of phenological timing: Impacts of phenological separation on invasive plant interactions
In a greenhouse experiment, I tested the impact of phenological separation on the outcomes of direct and indirect species interactions among three co-occurring forest invaders. This study explored the phenology-driven mechanisms which may promote the co-occurrence and long term success of nonnative, invasive plant species.
Drivers of phenological timing: Determining the effects of climate on phenology within invaded plant communities
I have harnessed global-scale observational datasets, in the form of museum records, citizen science observations, and historic climate records, to a) uncover the innate differences in phenological strategies between native and nonnative plant species, and b) determine how phenological strategies are shaped by regional climate across the multi-continental ranges of nonnative species.
Consequences of phenological timing: Impacts of phenological separation on invasive plant interactions
In a greenhouse experiment, I tested the impact of phenological separation on the outcomes of direct and indirect species interactions among three co-occurring forest invaders. This study explored the phenology-driven mechanisms which may promote the co-occurrence and long term success of nonnative, invasive plant species.