DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Edaphic endemism in Eriogonum (Polygonaceae): A molecular phylogenetic approach.

美国西部的土壤在性质和分布上都是多种多样的。植物物种也表现出异常的多样性。许多种类的植物只在特定的土壤类型中生长。野生荞麦（Eriogonum）是一组植物，其中包括许多这些土壤专家（土壤特有种）。该项目使用现代DNA测序和经典温室实验来检验这些模式，以确定是否存在与这些土壤专家相关的进化模式。它还将研究这些物种是否特别适应这些土壤，或者它们是否能在各种土壤上生存。这个项目涉及许多学科，包括植物学、进化生物学、土壤科学和生态学的原理。该项目的结果将增加有关稀有植物物种分布的知识，特别是与土壤有关的知识。本项目采用的独特方法将传播给其他研究人员使用和改进。研究小组中的许多物种都是稀有或濒危物种。从野外工作中收集的数据对于各种保护机构实施健全、信息灵通的政策至关重要。

Soils in the western United States are diverse, both in their properties and distribution across the landscape. Plants species show exceptional diversity as well. Many species of plants grow only in specific soil types. The wild buckwheats (Eriogonum) are a group of plants that include many of these soil specialists (edaphic endemics). This project examines these patterns using modern DNA sequencing and classic greenhouse experiments to determine if there is an evolutionary pattern relating to these soil specialists. It will also address whether these species are specifically adapted to these soils, or if they can survive on a variety of soils. This project reaches across many disciplines, incorporating principles of botany, evolutionary biology, soil science, and ecology. The results of this project will add to the knowledge relating to the distribution of rare plant species, especially pertaining to soils. Unique methods incorporated in this project will be disseminated for other researchers to use and improve. A number of species in the study group are rare or endangered. Data gathered from fieldwork will be vital to various conservation agencies, for implementing sound, well-informed policies.