Research
I study relationships between plant functional traits and leaf litter decomposition. I focus on physical functional traits, such as cuticle thickness, that impart information about the structure of the leaf and accessibility to decomposers. I want to see if there are relationships among functional traits, both in green foliage and in litter from plants native to BC, that reflect plant nutrition strategies (e.g., if certain traits are seen more often in plants that prioritize nutrient acquisition over retention), and to see which of these traits are correlated with how fast leaf litter decomposes on the forest floor.
Background
I’m from a very small town in the state of Vermont and earned a B.A. in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Policy at Smith College in Massachusetts, where I focused on forest ecology and biogeochemistry. I did research at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Smith College Botanic Garden, and MacLeish Field Station during my time at Smith.