Plant Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation

Plant ecology, biodiversity and conservation encompasses genetic diversity; systemics and evolution; rare plant and crop conservation and enhancement; plant-microbe interactions; pollinator and herbivore interactions; invasive species; ecology of natural ecosystems; response to global change and land use change; and ecological restoration and phytoremediation.

Faculty

• Priscila Chaverri
• Maile Neel
• Joseph Sullivan

Selected Research Projects:

• Biological Diversity Patterns and Reserve Design
  Research Faculty: Maile Neel
  Homepage: http://alyxia.umiacs.umd.edu/research/a_biodiversity.php
• Evolutionary Distinctiveness of Rare Taxa
  Research Faculty: Maile Neel
  Homepage: http://alyxia.umiacs.umd.edu/research/agalinis_systematics.php
• Landscape Pattern Analysis
  Research Faculty: Maile Neel
  Homepage: http://alyxia.umiacs.umd.edu/research/land_pattern.php
• iodiversity of fungal endophytes in rubber trees: Towards understanding their role as plant protection agents.
  Research Faculty: Priscila Chaverri
  
  This project will characterize fungal endophytic species in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) to evaluate their potential role as plant protection agents. Some suggest that symbiotic fungal endophytes have coevolved with host plants to protect them from natural enemies. Rubber trees grown in plantations suffer from a variety of plant diseases, and endophytes may play a role in their protection. Because most fungal endophytes are horizontally transmitted, seeds from H. brasiliensis that are used in plantations may lack coevolved endophytes. Based on this premise, it is hypothesized that rubber trees in the wild host greater species richness and abundance of fungal endophytes than trees in plantations. If this hypothesis is supported, plantation trees may lack beneficial endophytes that could prevent some diseases and pests found on plantations. The diversity and species composition of fungal endophytes in rubber trees in their native (i.e. Upper Amazon) and managed settings (i.e. plantations) will be studied through fieldwork; isolation and cultivation of endophytes from different parts of the tree; and identification of fungal species using morphological and molecular approaches. Preliminary assays and experiments on the antifungal properties of these endophytes will also be conducted.
• Monographic studies of the plant- and insect-associated genera: Nectria, Neonectria, and Cosmospora (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales).
  Research Faculty: Priscila Chaverri
  
  This study will define the taxonomy of three major genera of the Nectriaceae: Nectria, Cosmospora, and Neonectria. These genera are significant because they include several species that are widespread plant pathogens and potential biological control agents of insects. None of these genera have received modern monographic treatment. The proposed monographic projects include: (1) Nectria with Tubercularia asexual states, a group of about 30–40 taxa. Most species of Nectria occur on recently dead hardwood trees in temperate and tropical regions. (2) Cosmospora with asexual states in acremonium-like, Chaetopsina, Fusarium sect. Eupionnotes, Stilbella, verticillium-like, and Volutella. Cosmospora occur primarily on stromatic fungi and insects. (3) Neonectria with Cylindrocarpon asexual states. This genus includes species that cause cankers on hardwood and conifer trees in temperate and tropical regions, a subgroup common on recently dead woody plants in the tropics, and another group isolated from soil. The taxonomy of these genera will be studied using morphology, microscopy, cultural characteristics, and DNA-sequence analyses.