 |
Dr. Boudell's Research |
 |
|---|
|
Dr. Boudell's Research |
|
|---|
Research Topics |
As a riparian plant ecologist, I'm interested in investigating the relationships between plants and the environment in riparian ecosystems (ecosystems supported by rivers). In particular, I'm interested in the role of propagule banks (seeds on or in soil) in maintaining biodiversity in floodplains. As many riparian ecosystems have been altered, and there is renewed interest in restoring the structure and function to these ecosystems, my research is also focused on improving restoration techniques. As an educator, it is imperative that the techniques I use in the classroom not only enhance my student's learning, but support the diversity of learning styles that are present in my classroom. To that end, I use research-based teaching techniques that have been shown to be successful in the classroom. However, many techniques have not been tested in the science classroom. Because science courses can present different challenges to students, I have recently begun to conduct research on some of these techniques in my classrooms to determine if they truly increase student success. Reading about science and building a "tool box" through science classes teaches one about science, but does a poor job of teaching one to be a scientist. Science is a verb, not a noun. Science is dynamic, not static. To those who truly want to become a scientist, or who just want to see what this science "stuff" is all about, I invite you to participate in research. I invite you to either conduct a project of your own, participate in one of my research projects, or just learn about one aspect of research. All you need to do is ask...my door is open. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Riparian Metacommunities |
 |
Riparian Metacommunities- are riparian communities that are linked through propagule dispersal. The dispersal of propagules (seeds and/or vegetative remnants that are capable of resprouting) across the various vegetation communities that exist within the boundaries of the floodplain corridor, supports the diversity of floodplain vegetation. Through my research of propagule bank dynamics in low-elevation Sonoran Desert riparian ecosystems, I found that propagule banks did not support the recruitment of vegetation in any one community, but supported recruitment in all communities within the floodplain. As a recent transplant to Georgia, I'm interested in investigating the propagule banks of Southeastern floodplains to determine if the dispersal of propagules across the floodplain, and floodplain propagule banks, support a significant proportion of floodplain plant diversity. |
 |
Propagule Banks- (seeds and/or vegetative remnants in/on the soil) - are an important component of many ecosystems, particularly those that experience disturbance such as floodplains. These banks increase time to local extinction for plant species as the above ground vegetation may be removed, but individuals may still be present as seeds in soil. In a similar fashion, they support the coexistence of species by allowing some species to persist as seeds/propagules in soil, while others populate the above ground vegetation. In my investigations of Sonoran Desert riparian propagule banks, I found many species and numerous individuals populating floodplain soil In floodplains that have been subjected to impoundment for over 70 yr., remnant, as well as species from current above ground communities, were present in soil -a legacy of pre-dam conditions. In upcoming investigations of Southeastern floodplain propagule banks I will determine if propagule banks play a similar role in supporting the recruitment of species across communities within the floodplain. |
|
Riparian Restoration- refers to the restoration of structure and function to altered riparian (riverine) ecosystems -a lofty goal indeed. As many state and federal agencies, as well as some non-governmental organizations, have been given the charge to restore altered riparian ecosystems, my research is focused on improving restoration techniques and on improving our understanding of riparian plant ecology. How are agencies to restore an ecosystem, if the information on the structure of the ecosystem and on the relationships between the components are lacking or incomplete? Both theoretical and applied research are essential if we are to reach the goal of restoring our riparian ecosystems. The engineering that is used to restore ecosystems is often complex and expensive. Ecosystem engineers determine which species to plant and where instead of allowing an ecosystem to develop over time. As well, agencies must meet deadlines and often abandon project monitoring prematurely. My research is focused on discovering if legacy species are still present in propagule banks of altered riparian ecosystems and if present, if conditions on site can be manipulated to support the recruitment of those species into the above ground vegetation. Legacy species have been found in altered Sonoran Desert riparian propagule banks. These species, already present on the project site, under the appropriate conditions may recruit into the above ground vegetation. A field experiment revealed that removing soil to 5cm decimated a Mediterranean grass species and allowed species present in the soil to germinate and become part of the above ground vegetation. Additional research interests include evaluating riparian restoration techniques. |
 |
Science
Education- University science
instructors are often content driven as upper-division courses require
students to have mastered important foundational concepts.
Because many topics need to be covered in a semester, instructors
often do not use research-based teaching techniques for fear that too
much time will be sacrificed and students will be ill-equipped for their
upper-division courses. However,
research-based teaching techniques, such as collaborative learning, have
been shown to increase student success and should be implemented in
science classrooms.
It is imperative to
determine if research-based teaching techniques lead to improved
comprehension of important foundational concepts in the science
classroom. As
any scientist knows, only through subjecting a hypothesis to the
scientific method can the truth of the matter be known.
|
 |
Student
Research- Are you interested in plant biology? plant ecology?
restoration? or any combination of the aforementioned areas of
research? Perhaps you are only interested in learning the
scientific method or statistical analysis. If you would like to
participate in one of my research projects, conduct your own project, or
just learn some aspect of the research process, you are invited to contact
me to discuss your interests.
Current Projects:
|
