Title: Investigating the environmental conditions conducive to the protected plant Aeschynomene virginica
Department: Biology
Description: This project will examine Aeschynomene virginica, or Sensitive Joint-vetch. This is a federally threatened plant that was recently identified in an area on Powhatan Creek near Jamestown. This project will use this newly discovered habitat to examine the environmental characteristics under which Aeschynomene virginica thrives. This project will also use this information to create a GIS model of potential habitats for the plant in Virginia. This research will create a better understanding of what conditions allow Aeschynomene virginica to grow and where it is most likely to appear. This knowledge will be valuable for the conservation of the plant, especially in its inventory and monitoring, since it is possible that the plant may exist in previously unexpected areas.
Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
Advisor: Douglas DeBerry
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