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An ideal position for a graduate or soon-to-be-graduate interested in plant population biology, evolution, or conservation ecology.
A 12-month paid internship starting in June 2015 is available for an individual with a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, entomology, or a related major and a commitment to conservation. We also encourage statisticians and computer scientists with an interest in ecology and evolution to apply for the position. This internship is a great opportunity for aspiring ecologists, conservation biologists, and evolutionary biologists to gain field experience and learn about the ecology and evolution of plants in fragmented prairies!
Job description
As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing research on the conservation genetics, reproductive biology, and demography of the prairie plant Echinacea angustifolia. Summer fieldwork occurs in western Minnesota and greenhouse and lab activities are at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The intern has the opportunity to conduct an independent research project. Potential project topics include: flowering phenology, mating compatibility, plant-aphid-ant interactions, plant quantitative genetics, and plant-pollinator interactions.
As an intern, you will participate in a variety of research and conservation-related activities, attend seminars, and interact closely with conservation scientists, graduate students, interns, researchers, and volunteers associated with Plant Conservation Science at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the graduate program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern.
Desired skills and experience include: performing outdoor physical work in adverse conditions, collecting and managing datasets, completing tasks independently and on time, conducting experiments, using maps, communicating clearly in writing, paying attention to detail, conducting statistical analyses, and working effectively with diverse people, including scientists, volunteers, students, and interns.
Read more about what it’s like working and living in Minnesota.
Applications will be reviewed starting 6 March 2015. The salary starts at $11/h. Housing in Minnesota during the summer is included.
How to apply
In one email to echinaceaProject@gmail.com, send a cover letter, your resume, and a transcript (unofficial OK). Use the subject line: “12-month research intern application” and format your cover letter, resume, and transcript as pdf files. Begin each file name with your surname. Please ask one of your references to send a letter of recommendation to echinaceaProject@gmail.com.
 Ilse looking for Echinacea plants at one of our sites In your cover letter, please include:
- why you are interested
- why you are qualified
- what are your future plans
- when you can start
- contact info of your references
- your email and phone number
Review of applications will begin on 6 March 2015. We’ll accept applications until the position is filled. Be sure to include an email address and phone number where you can be reached after March 6th.
Members of groups underrepresented in science are particularly encouraged to apply.
More information
Read about this project’s background and papers. Read more about plant research at the Chicago Botanic Garden. If you have any more questions, contact Stuart via e-mail or phone (847-835-6978).
Are you a high school junior or senior interested in gaining research experience? Do you like working outside and learning about plants? If so, then our research internship may be right for you!
 Team members mapping plants at one of our remnant sites The Echinacea Project has conducted research experiments on tallgrass praire plants and insects in the Kensington-Hoffman area since 1995. Prairie used to cover this landscape, but it is now restricted to small patches. We focus our research on one plant, Echinacea angustifolia, the species of purple coneflower native to Minnesota, to gauge the health of native prairie plants in their current fragmented habitat. Plants in these small habitats face both ecological and genetic threats and we conduct long-term cutting edge research experiments to assess whether these populations will persist.
We’re seeking a high school student to participate in a paid, summer-long field biology internship. You will work with PhD scientists, graduate students, and college students to collect data on the ecology and evolution of the purple coneflower in prairie patches. You will participate in field research activities, gain experience in GPS and mapping techniques, learn to identify plants and insects, hand pollinate flowers, and measure plant traits. You will work on an independent project with guidance from Stuart Wagenius. Your project will contribute to our main research goals and, in the process, you will learn about the evolutionary, genetic, and ecological concepts that motivate our research. You can contribute to the scientific understanding of the ecology and evolutionary biology of Echinacea angustifolia, another prairie plant species, or plant associated insects.
More information: This opportunity comes with a $400 per week stipend and we can partially reimburse commuting expenditures for the student or the student’s parent or guardian. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from the research base daily (M – F). Our study area comprises 6400 ha (25 square miles) and is based between Kensington & Hoffman. Housing is not included in the internship. The position will start in mid-June and run for 10 weeks. If you are interested, please apply!
You can read more background information about the research project and what summer field work is like. Also, check out a recent episode of Prairie Yard & Garden that featured our site. It is called “Prairie Flora: History and Future” — here’s the link: http://goo.gl/qU4bcN
Qualifications: High school student who wants to work outdoors, is patient, and has good hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skill. You must be willing to work hard in all weather conditions, and be interested in science.
How to apply: Please download the application form. You will need to send in the form (required) and your resume (optional) to echinaceaproject@gmail.com. Also, ask one of your science teachers to email a letter of recommendation on your behalf to the same email. The deadline for the application and the letter is March 21, 2015.
If you have any questions, contact us via e-mail (echinaceaproject@gmail.com) or phone (847-835-6978).
 Some of our research team, 2013.
There are opportunities to work on the Echinacea project as a volunteer, a research intern, summer field researcher, REU intern, graduate student, undergraduate lab investigator, short-term undergraduate intern, K-12 educator RET participant (Research Experience for Teacher), research collaborator, or visiting teacher/researcher. We’ll post information as new opportunities become available, but feel free to contact us.
 - Hillary and Lauren mapping Echinacea plants
If you are enthusiastic and want to gain field research experience, please read about summer field research positions available for this summer. These are great internships or summer co-ops for those interested in one or more of these topics: insects, plants, ecology, evolution, conservation biology, habitat fragmentation, pollination, tallgrass prairie, and geographic information systems (GIS). We welcome applications to these positions from anyone. We encourage members of groups underrepresented in science to apply to all positions. Some spots on the summer team are reserved for undergraduate students through the NSF-funded REU program…
REU (Research Experience for Undergraduate) participant
The Echinacea project offers several REU summer field research positions. Please read the general description for summer field research positions and note the details for both REU programs. All REU participants must be enrolled as an undergraduate student during the upcoming summer and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students in groups underrepresented in science are encouraged to apply.
Postdoctoral researcher
A postdoctoral position is available on the Echinacea project. The postdoc will collaborate with Stuart Wagenius (Chicago Botanic Garden) and Ruth Shaw (University of Minnesota) on quantitative genetic and demographic studies of the fragmented population and associated field experiments and will have the opportunity to participate in developing evolutionary models that incorporate our accumulating understanding of genetic and demographic processes within the study system. There is considerable potential for the postdoc to develop further research projects pertinent to the overall goals of this study.
Volunteer at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Many volunteers help with all aspects of research at the Chicago Botanic Garden, September through May. We always need help 1. cleaning seedheads, 2. scanning, counting, and weighing seeds, and 3. extracting DNA & running PCR. We also usually have a few other projects going on involving microscope work, curating our insect collection, working in the molecular lab, taking photographs, database maintenance, web development, or something else. Also, we can always use help with data entry! Let Stuart know your interests, skills & expertise and we’ll see how you can help the Echinacea project!
 - Callin assesses reproductive status of an Echinacea plant
Graduate student
There are several ways for graduate students to get involved in the Echinacea project. Ruth and Stuart advise students in several programs. Current students are working on a variety of thesis projects. Please contact Ruth about programs at the University of Minnesota. Please contact Stuart about programs at Northwestern University and at the University of Illinois–Chicago. Please contact Stuart about working at the research site.
Undergraduate during academic year
If you are a current undergraduate student interested in an independent study or a short-term internship (e.g. J-term), please contact Stuart at the Chicago Botanic Garden or Ruth at the University of Minnesota.
We are seeking highly motivated Chicago-area undergraduates interested in gaining experience and training in molecular genetics and population biology research. We are studying how pollen moves in prairie plant populations using Echinacea as a model species. We collected seeds from tagged plants and are using DNA fingerprinting techniques to determine which nearby plant is the pollen donor for each seed. There are a number of aspects of this research that students could turn into an independent research project for academic credit. Past students have presented their work at conferences and written up their project as part of their senior thesis.
For more information or to apply, please email Stuart at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
K-12 science educators
Are you a K-12 science educator interested in gaining summer field research experience? Please consider this paid professional development opportunity that involves collaborating with Echinacea project research scientists.
During a summer at the research site in western Minnesota, teachers will participate in the design and implementation of new experiments, assisting with ongoing field projects, modeling or analysis of experimental data, or other activities that will contribute to the Echinacea project. Teachers will develop a plan to bring their new experiences and knowledge at the emerging frontiers of science back into their classrooms (with funding to support the plan!). Teachers may also help develop a summer research program for their students. We are looking for educators interested in integrating research and education about one or more of these topics: insects, plants, pollination, ecology, evolution, habitat fragmentation, conservation biology, modeling, geographic information systems (GIS), computer modeling, spatial mathematics.
If you are interested, please contact Stuart with a brief email explaining your interests and qualifications. We are particularly interested in working with teachers at urban or rural schools and those at less well-endowed school districts. We urge Teach for America teachers to apply. Also, we encourage the participation of science educators who are members of underrepresented groups. Contact Stuart before 22 November to be considered for a position during the next summer. Note: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be currently employed as a K-12 science teacher or community college science faculty.
Read more about this opportunity on our new page.
An ideal position for a graduate or soon-to-be-graduate interested in plant genetics or conservation ecology.
A 12-month paid internship starting in June 2014 is available for an individual with a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, entomology, or a related major and a commitment to conservation. If you have a background in biology and want to gain experience in botany, ecology, evolutionary biology, or conservation biology, we encourage you to apply.
Job description
As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing research on the conservation genetics, reproductive biology, and demography of the prairie plant Echinacea angustifolia. Summer fieldwork occurs in western Minnesota and greenhouse and lab activities are at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The intern has the opportunity to conduct an independent research project. Potential project topics include: flowering phenology, mating compatibility, plant-aphid-ant interactions, plant quantitative genetics, and plant-pollinator interactions.
As an intern, you will participate in a variety of research and conservation-related activities, attend seminars, and interact closely with conservation scientists, graduate students, interns, researchers, and volunteers associated with Plant Conservation Science at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the graduate program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern.
Desired skills and experience include: performing outdoor physical work in adverse conditions, collecting and managing datasets, completing tasks independently and on time, conducting experiments, using maps, communicating clearly in writing, paying attention to detail, conducting statistical analysis, and working effectively with diverse people, including scientists, volunteers, students, and interns.
Read more about what it’s like working and living in Minnesota.
Applications will be reviewed starting 6 March 2014. The salary starts at $11/h. Housing in Minnesota during the summer is included.
How to apply
In one email to echinaceaProject@gmail.com, send a cover letter, your resume, and a transcript (unofficial OK). Use the subject line: “12-month research intern application” and format your cover letter, resume, and transcript as pdf files. Begin each file name with your surname. Please ask one of your references to send a letter of recommendation to echinaceaProject@gmail.com.
Ilse looking for Echinacea plants at one of our sites In your cover letter, please include:
- why you’re interested
- why you’re qualified
- what your future plans are
- when you can start
- contact info of your references
- your email and phone number
Review of applications will begin on 6 March 2014. We’ll accept applications until the position is filled. Be sure to include an email address and phone number where you can be reached after March 6th.
Members of groups underrepresented in science are particularly encouraged to apply.
More information
Read about this project’s background and papers. Read more about plant research at the Chicago Botanic Garden. If you have any more questions, contact Stuart via e-mail or phone (847-835-6978).
Happy 2014 everyone! Here’s the latest news from The Echinacea Project.
Grace and Aaron, two students from Carleton who spent their winter breaks in the lab, finished up their internship on Friday. They did some great work with the E. angustifolia and E. pallida heads we collected from Hegg Lake. If you recall from the summer, Dayvis looked at the flowering phenology and pollinator assemblages of these plants. In short, Grace and Aaron followed up on Dayvis’ work by examining seed set (via x-ray AND weigh machine!) of the top, middle, and bottoms of each head. They were interested in determining the likelihood of hybrization occuring naturally between pallida and angustifolia and modeled this likelihood with the Dayvis’ phenology data from this summer. They created some beautiful, hand-drawn flowering schedules (shown below) and they’re working on finishing a report that we will post soon.
Above: flowering schedule with pallida heads shown is blue and angustifolia shown in red. Below: flowering schedule with seed set of each section of each head written in pencil.
We’re now tracking the progress of our 2013 heads with this handy-dandy white board chart. On the left we have all our experiments in the common garden and the number of heads in each experiment. The chart may look mostly empty, but that doesn’t mean our volunteers aren’t hard at work! We had people come in on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve! What dedication! We will keep you updated as this chart begins to fill up!
Stay warm!
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
Please read about our current opportunities!
An ideal position for a graduate or soon-to-be-graduate interested in plant genetics or conservation ecology.
A 12-month paid internship starting in June 2013 is available for an individual with a bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, entomology, or a related major and a commitment to conservation. If you have a background in biology and want to gain experience in botany, ecology, evolutionary biology, or conservation biology, we encourage you to apply.
Job description
As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing research on the conservation genetics, reproductive biology, and demography of the prairie plant Echinacea angustifolia. Summer fieldwork occurs in western Minnesota and greenhouse and lab activities are at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The intern has the opportunity to conduct an independent research project. Potential project topics include: flowering phenology, mating compatibility, plant-aphid-ant interactions, plant quantitative genetics, and plant-pollinator interactions.
As an intern, you will participate in a variety of research and conservation-related activities, attend seminars, and interact closely with conservation scientists, graduate students, interns, researchers, and volunteers associated with Plant Conservation Science at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the graduate program in Plant Biology and Conservation at Northwestern.
Desired skills and experience include: performing outdoor physical work in adverse conditions, collecting and managing datasets, completing tasks independently and on time, conducting experiments, using maps, communicating clearly in writing, paying attention to detail, conducting statistical analysis, and working effectively with diverse people, including scientists, volunteers, students, and interns.
Read more about summer field research activities and living in Minnesota.
Applications will be reviewed starting 20 March 2013. The salary starts at $11/h. Housing in Minnesota during the summer is included.
How to apply
In one email to echinaceaProject@gmail.com, send a cover letter, your resume, and a transcript (unofficial OK). Use the subject line: “12-month research intern application.” Also, ask one of your references to send a letter of recommendation to echinaceaProject@gmail.com.
In your cover letter, please include:
- why you’re interested
- why you’re qualified
- what your future plans are
- when you can start
- contact info of your references (one should send a letter)
- your email and phone number
Review of applications will begin on 20 March 2013. We’ll accept applications until the position is filled. Be sure to include an email address and phone number where you can be reached after March 20th.
Members of groups underrepresented in science are particularly encouraged to apply.
More information
Go to the Echinacea Project’s homepage to read more about this NSF-funded project. You can also read about this project’s background and papers. Read more about summer field research activities and living in Minnesota. Read more about plant research at the Chicago Botanic Garden. If you have any more questions, contact Stuart via e-mail or phone (847-835-6978).
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
Please read about our current opportunities!
The Echinacea Project is offering several REU internships during summer 2012. Apply to the Chicago Botanic Garden REU by 31 January 2012 at the CBG REU website. To increase your chance of selection, you are welcome to apply to both the CBG REU and the Echinacea Project REU program. The latter application is due 29 February 2012.
When applying to the CBG program. Be sure to select a project mentored by Wagenius as a top choice, like this one or this one! All six potential projects are listed below for your convenience.
- Effects of habitat fragmentation on a native prairie grass
- Reproductive susceptibility of prairie plants to habitat fragmentation
- Does style persistence measure pollen limitation in perennial Helianthus species?
- Plant-herbivore interactions in tallgrass prairie
- Pollination of Echinacea angustifolia
- Hybridization between native and non-native Echinacea
Effects of habitat fragmentation on a native prairie grass
Keywords: porcupine grass, Hesperostipa spartea, prairie grass, habitat fragmentation, genetic diversity, quantitative traits
Mentor(s): Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: Porcupinegrass (Hesperostipa spartea) is a common native prairie grass in western Minnesota. We are investigating how habitat fragmentation is influencing the amount and distribution of genetic diversity in quantitative traits such as seed dispersal ability, seedling recruitment, plant growth, and fitness. We seek an REU participant interested in investigating seed traits and seedling growth traits. Potential project activities include collecting seeds from prairie remnants, measuring plants in prairie remnants and experimental plots, analyzing digital images of seeds and seed behavior, planting seeds, or mapping plants. An REU project could involve using GPS and GIS technology. Research will take place in prairie remnants and experimental plots in our study site in western Minnesota.
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden (2-3 wks) and field site in western Minnesota (7-8 wks)
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Insects X Pollen
Reproductive susceptibility of prairie plants to habitat fragmentation
Keywords: fragmented habitat, reproductive failure, self-incompatibility (SI), reproductive susceptibility, habitat fragmentation
Mentor(s): Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: Many plants in fragmented prairie habitat experience reproductive failure. Self-incompatibility (SI) is the trait that is most consistently associated with reproductive susceptibility to habitat fragmentation. Worldwide, it is estimated that about 60% of plant species have some kind of SI system. The tallgrass prairie is one of the most fragmented habitats in the world, but the proportion of prairie plants with SI is unknown. Also, we do not know the extent to which reproduction is susceptible to habitat fragmentation for most plant species. For this project you will determine the SI system (self-compatible or self-incompatible) in a sample of common plants in our study area. Experiments will be designed, in collaboration with the mentor, to test the reproductive susceptibility to habitat fragmentation of these species. Such experiments will involve pollen exclusion and pollen supplementation treatments. Research will occur in remnant prairies in our study site in western Minnesota.
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden (2-3 wks) and field site in western Minnesota (7-8 wks)
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Insects X Pollen
Does style persistence measure pollen limitation in perennial Helianthus species?
Keywords: Helianthus species, sunflowers, self-incompatibility, pollen limitation, reproduction, fragmented habitat.
Mentor(s): Karen Taira (MS student) and Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: Self-incompatible plant species are highly susceptible to pollen limitation of reproduction in fragmented habitat. A method of determining pollen limitation during flowering season, called style persistence, was developed in the prairie species Echinacea angustifolia. In this species, styles persist as long as ten days when no pollen is received; but if compatible pollen is received, then styles shrivel within 24 hours. Quantifying style persistence serves as a measure of pollen limitation in the field and as an indicator of potential reproductive failure. If this measure is applicable in other genera, it could help land managers and restorationists assess, by observation, the availability of pollen throughout the flowering season. We will be investigating style persistence in native, perennial Helianthus species in remnant prairie sites in Illinois and Minnesota. Field work for this project includes designing and conducting hand pollination experiments, locating and identifying perennial Helianthus species, identifying Helianthus species at remnant prairie sites, mapping individual plants, and observing style conditions.
Location: Remnant prairie sites in northern Illinois and western Minnesota
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Bees X Insects X Pollen
Plant-herbivore interactions in tallgrass prairie
Keywords: Echinacea angustifolia, aphids, ants, insect communities, mutualism
Mentor(s): Katherine Muller (MS student), Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: Habitat change influences dynamics between plants and their insect herbivores. We are investigating interactions between the purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) and insect herbivores in fragmented prairies. We have previously found interesting “bottom-up” effects of plant genotype on insect communities, including greater herbivore damage on inbred and outcrossed plants compared to plants from within-remnant crosses. We are now investigating aspects of the relationship between E. angustifolia and its specialist aphid. Current projects include quantifying “top-down” effects of aphids on host plant performance, dynamics of aphid infestation within plant populations, and the effects of habitat fragmentation on aphids. We are also interested in the role of aphid-tending ants for host plants and the insect community. We seek an REU student interested in investigating plant-herbivore interactions. Potential project activities include collecting and identifying ants, surveying aphids and ants in remnant prairies, and conducting field observations of insect behavior. The student will also collaborate with a graduate student on several field experiments related to plant-herbivore interactions.
Location: Field site in western Minnesota
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Bees X Insects X Pollen
Pollination of Echinacea angustifolia
Keywords: fragmented habitat , reproductive failure, pollination, Echinacea angustifolia
Mentor(s): Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: Many plants in fragmented habitat experience reproductive failure. We are studying pollination of Echinacea angustifolia (purple coneflower) in prairie remnants in western Minnesota. In this species, reproduction is high in large prairie remnants and low in small remnants. We present three hypotheses: Plants have better reproduction when there are many nearby compatible Echinacea plants. Plants benefit when certain pollinators (native bees) visit. Plants that flower at the peak of the season fare better than early or late plants. For this project, you will design an experiment with help of the mentor, that will test one of these hypotheses (or one of your own ideas welcome!). Fieldwork may include pollinating plants by hand, identifying prairie plants, observing or capturing bees, identifying pollen, and mapping individual plants.
Location: Minnesota and CBG
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Bees X Insects X Pollen
Hybridization between native and non-native Echinacea
Keywords: prairie restorations, remnants, hybrids
Mentor(s): Stuart Wagenius (CBG)
Project Description: In western Minnesota prairie restorations have been planted near prairie remnants. The non-natives Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea have been planted in restorations. We want to know the extent to which the non-natives affect reproduction in the native species. Non-native pollen is hypothesized to interfere with pollination in the native and hybridization between the species may occur. For this project, you will design an experiment, in collaboration with the mentor, to investigate potential interactions between pollen of several Echinacea species. Crossing and pollen addition experiment will occur in remnant prairies in our study site in western Minnesota.
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden (2-3 wks) and field site in western Minnesota (7-8 wks)
Lab/Field: field
Special Considerations: X Bees X Insects X Pollen
Get involved with the Echinacea Project at our field site or in our lab at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Please contact us if you have any questions.
 Summer 2023 teams says, “Echinacea!” Team Echinacea strives to create an inclusive, collaborative, stimulating, positive, fun, and productive environment for all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and economic background. We welcome and encourage individuals from groups historically excluded from sciences and conservation. If you are interested in learning about and contributing to science and conservation, please join our team. We are committed to recruiting, training, and supporting individuals interested in science, education, and conservation from diverse backgrounds.
- Summer Field Research in Minnesota
- Learn about what it’s like working with Team Echinacea.
Lab Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Check out ways to get involved during the academic year.
Year-Round Positions
Interested in lab and field work? Here are the ways you can do both!
- Research intern. Applications closed for 2024. Check back next year!
- Graduate student at Northwestern University and University of Minnesota. Applications open for 2024-2025 academic year.
Applications for the Northwestern M.S. program are due February 15th.
Applications for the Northwestern Ph.D. program are due December 1st.
- Post-doctoral researcher (none currently available).
Investigate ecology and evolution in fragmented prairies as a member of Team Echinacea. Join us!
 Research interns 2019-20 Erin (far left) and Riley (far right) at the Chicago Botanic Garden with undergraduates from Carleton College (Jack, Eli, Emma and Julie)
This page serves as an introduction to people involved in the Echinacea project. We have a special page dedicated to volunteer citizen scientists who are working on and have worked on the project. The Echinacea project would not exist in its current form without the incredible work of many dedicated volunteers. We have another page of summer field researchers. Every summer the Echinacea project provides employment and internships for undergraduate students, recent graduates, graduate students, and others starting off in their science or conservation careers. Our summer researchers receive training, gain skills, and get much and diverse experience. In turn, summer field researchers contribute immensely to the project. We accomplish a lot every summer and our datasets are hard-won.
The tallgrass prairie used to be a vast continuous expanse of habitat harboring diverse populations of plants and animals. Now prairie habitat exists in small and isolated patches. How long will small remnant populations persist and what can we do to conserve them? To answer this central question in conservation biology requires better understanding of some basic biological processes and how they interact.
R esearchers have taken two distinct approaches to understanding population persistence in remnant habitat patches. One approach investigates the ecological dynamics of fragmented landscapes focusing on environmental factors such as lack of fire, disrupted species interactions (e.g. plant-pollinators), colonization of remnants from other remnants, competition with invasive weeds, and demographic stochasticity. Another approach investigates genetic issues experienced by small populations in fragmented habitat, such as loss of genetic diversity by drift, inbreeding depression, genetic swamping from nearby reintroductions, and outbreeding depression in restorations. Rarely does a single investigation account for both genetic and ecological dynamics when modeling the persistence of populations.
Bringing the two approaches together. Our overall research approach is to simultaneously investigate ecological and evolutionary processes and how they interact in the same study system. We use experiments, observational studies, and modeling approaches to answer our questions. Empirically, we focus on a model study system: a common native prairie plant Echinacea angustifolia (Asteraceae) growing in remnant populations within an agricultural landscape in western Minnesota. This widespread purple coneflower isn’t rare or endangered, but it serves as a good model for prairie plants because it has traits like self-incompatibility and a long lifetime. These traits are well represented in the prairie flora.
 Contributions to conservation & beyond. The main motivating question of this research project is applied: what can we do to better conserve prairie plants. We plan to generate concrete answers for stewards, managers, practitioners, and policymakers. Our project also addresses some very fundamental research questions and contributes to better basic scientific understanding of biological processes. Another aspect of this project is training scientists for the future. Many motivated beginning scientists have contributed to the project and gained skills and experience useful for their careers through the REU program, summer employment, internships, and as volunteers, students, and collaborators. We also promote conservation and science education among non-scientists through continuing education classes, workshops, and volunteer programs. Contact us if you are interested in joining our team.
Read about the plant, Echinacea angustifolia.
Read about our study site.
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Contributions to conservation & beyond. The main motivating question of this research project is applied: what can we do to better conserve prairie plants. We plan to generate concrete answers for stewards, managers, practitioners, and policymakers. Our project also addresses some very fundamental research questions and contributes to better basic scientific understanding of biological processes. Another aspect of this project is training scientists for the future. Many motivated beginning scientists have contributed to the project and gained skills and experience useful for their careers through the REU program, summer employment, internships, and as volunteers, students, and collaborators. We also promote conservation and science education among non-scientists through continuing education classes, workshops, and volunteer programs. Contact us if you are interested in joining our team.
