Research
The Southwest Seed Partnership supports diverse native plants research. We are interested in collaborating on seed research in order to reach better cohesion of the restoration community and increased knowledge sharing. Read about projects that have used SWSP seed as part of their research below.
Brooke Wainwright, University of New Mexico (UNM)
Investigated germination and survival of foundation species of central New Mexico under various climate change manipulations. The Southwest is experiencing increased average aridity but also increased variation in aridity among years. The Sevilleta LTER constructed an experiment to test the effects of these interacting patterns. One aim of these experiments was to test how mean and variance drive community reordering of foundation species (e.g., Blue grama, black grama, creosote). Q1: How do increased mean and random variation in climate effect germination and survival of foundation species in central New Mexico? Q2: Can we use these data to predict community transition and ecotone shifts?
Anny Chung, University of Georgia, Sevilleta LTER
Larrea tridentata seeds were used as a part of an NSF-funded research partnership between the University of Georgia and University of New Mexico to study the effects of rising CO2 and plant-microbe interactions on creosote encroachment into black grama grasslands.
Yanni Chen, Texas Tech University
Bouteloua gracilis seeds were to used to detect differential gene expression with plant-derived smoke treatment among different populations.
Kathleen Madsen, Ohio University
Looked at the effects of gypsum soil and competition on gypsum endemic species. This experiment asked the following two questions: is there a fitness cost of endemics living on gypsum and is competition limiting gypsum endemics from occurring off gypsum? Annual gypsophiles had three treatments: growing on gypsum soil alone, growing on local non-gypsum soil alone, and growing on non-gypsum soil with a gypsovag competitor (Thelmasperma megapotamicum). Each treatment had 20 replicates, and multiple seeds were sown in pots to ensure germination. The experiment took place for one year in the Ohio University greenhouse to ensure a full life cycle for the annuals. Fitness measurements were taken from each species including: above/below ground biomass, growing days, and reproductive structures. The data was analyzed using a PERMANOVA for each species separately. This experiment helped to further clarify the limiting factors that control life on gypsum and further our understanding of gypsum flora.
Kyle Christie, Northern Arizona University
Plantago patagonica seeds will be used as part of a USDA funded postdoctoral research project entitled "How climate adaptation affects seed yield and stress tolerance in wild psyllium –a new food product with added potential to restore rangelands". Chief objectives of this project are to 1) assess drought tolerance and seed yield of many populations of Plantago patagonica from across it's range in the western US, and 2) to assess of seed germination and seedling resilience traits affect of different genotypes/populations that could be used in restoration mixes.
Eric LoPresti, University of South Carolina
The Abronia fragrans populations will be used in a big population genetics and phylogenetics study to sort out the relationships between A. fragrans, A. nealleyi, A. angustifolia, A. macrocarpa, and A. ameliae. We have grown out about 15 populations of A. fragrans so far and sequenced >25.
Dracocephalum parviflorum, Dimorphocarpa wislizeni, Lepidium lasiocarpum, Lepidium montanum, Lepidium virginicum, Linum aristatum, Linum lewisii, Mirabilis multiflora, Lesquerella/Physaria fendleri, Lesquerella/Physaria intermedia, Lesquerella/Physaria gordonii, Lesquerella/Physaria rectipes seeds will be used in a big compilation of seed mucilage traits. We have been interested in how seed mucilage affects seed survival, specifically as a defense against harvester ants (so this may have restoration applications!), but also how it evolves across the genus.
