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Squawroot (Conopholis americana)
A non-photosynthetic, parasitic plant that obtains its carbon from the roots of oak trees in eastern North America. Its flowering and fruiting stalks (flowering stalks shown) are consumed by wildlife, including black bears.
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West Indian rock iguana (Cyclura cychlura)
A frugivore and seed disperser of numerous plant species in the Bahamas, it is the focus of conservation efforts led by the Shedd Aquarium and the Bahamas National Trust.
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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) with fruiting capsule. Like other spring ephemerals in eastern North American forests, its seeds are dispersed by ants.
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Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) fruits. The lipid-rich fruits of this understory tree species are a sought-after food for songbirds in eastern North America during fall migration.
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Research on wildlife-plant interactions, and effects of disturbance, management, land-use and climate change on biodiversity
Contact: Charles Kwit, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, 274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Knoxville, TN 37996
Bioenergy Sustainability
USDA-funded work is currently underway addressing gene flow and invasiveness of bioenergy feedstocks, and effects of landscape and land-use change on grassland bird diversity and demography. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum; pictured above) is the focus of these efforts.
Oak Savanna Restoration
Joint Fire Science Program-funded work is currently underway addressing effects of different management practices on oak savanna restoration in the Midsouth.
Endangered Plants and Climate Change in Tennessee
Work is progressing on calculation and assessment of Climate Change Vulnerability Indices (CCVIs) for Tennessee’s federally-listed threatened and endangered plant species (Appalachian avens, Geum radiatum, pictured). Whether global ranks of such species are correlated with CCVIs is of interest to conservation organizations.
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