ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
My main emphasis is analyzing the basis for serpentine ecological and evolutionary patterns in plant life history, adaptive morphology, and community structure, with particular emphasis on serpentine and the selective forces that may underlie them. My specific interests include serpentine ecology, evolution and genetics of mating systems, plant-animal interactions as it relates to serpentine ecology.In general, the process of evolution and mechanisms of speciation are the ultimate driving forces leading to the diversity of plant life as it relates to:
1. Adaptations of plants to azonal (unusual) soils, especially serpentines
2. Nickel hyperaccumulation in serpentine plants
3. Evolution of tolerance to serpentine soils.