Plant structure and function at contrasts in rainfall and nutrients:
We are examining relationships between hydraulic safety and efficiency in woody plants at sites that contrast in rainfall and nutrients in NSW, Australia. We are comparing how wood anatomical and hydraulic traits are then related to other spectra of plant trait variation (e.g., leaf-stem deployment, leaf economics, plant height). Aspects of this work are done in collaboration with David Ackerly, Peter Reich, Mark Westoby, and Ian Wright.
Plant functional traits on wood decomposition rates:
Much of the biological carbon is tied up in woody plant stems. We know that climate has a strong effect on rates of wood decomposition and thus release of this carbon. We have a much weaker understanding of how plant traits (e.g., conduit size, nutrient content, percentage tissue) affect decomposition rates. We have established a long-term decomposition project at Washington University’s Tyson Research Center examining species-specific differences in decomposition rates and how these relate to plant functional traits. Aspects of this work are done in collaboration with Steve Allison and Paul Eggleton.
Global functional trait databases:
Many studies of plant structure and function are done within small clades or in limited geographic space. Relationships found among these studies are often conflicting. To address broad-scale patterns of plant structure and function across large phylogenetic, ecological and geographic space, we are involved in a number of database compilations, including vessel anatomy, wood density, plant height, growth habit, woody stem structure and function, decomposition rates. Aspects of this work are done with a series of collaborators.
Angiosperm phylogeny website 2: HTML to XML:
The angiosperm phylogeny website is an essential resource for ecologists and systematists. It provides information on plant relationships and character evolution. Currently the information is stored in HTML. We are working with Peter Stevens and Cam Webb to transition APweb to XML so that it is more easily computer parseable. This work is being supported in part by the iPTOL at iPLANT
From left to right: Amy Zanne, Jon Sweeney, Oyomoare Eriogu, Vania Torrez.