Globally, woody encroachment — the expansion of woody plant species — is threatening grasslands, decreasing biodiversity, altering ecosystem cycles, and causing agricultural economic losses. In the Great Plains, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is a woody, resprouting shrub of increasing concern due to its rapid spread and resistance to management approaches. The goal of this project is to quantify the rate of spread of smooth sumac and investigate possible drivers of smooth sumac spread across the Nebraska sandhills. This project will inform large-scale assessments of sumac encroachment, sumac’s impact on grassland productivity, and point the way to better rangeland management. The data collected in the field will also be part of a larger project creating sumac encroachment maps from aerial imagery.
The student will gain experience conducting field assessments of plant density and structure, management history, topography, geolocation, as well as completing data management and analysis. They will accompany a graduate student and travel across the sandhills region to different field sites over the summer. The student will also be exposed to the use of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) approaches to quantifying vegetation properties at large spatial scales.
Faculty Advisor Mentoring Philosophy
Students would be mentored by Dr. Sabrina Russo (School of Biological Sciences) as well as work closely with a PhD student from her lab. Dr. Russo maintains a dynamic and inclusive research lab group with undergraduates who have gone on to competitive graduate programs, to conservation and other professional positions, and have won awards. The Russo lab goals include promoting excellence in fundamental and applied sciences, helping undergraduates learn about and access diverse professional and educational opportunities, and supporting everyone in their professional growth and achieving their professional goals.
Faculty Advisor | Sabrina E. Russo | |
Contact E-Mail | srusso2@unl.edu | |
Department | School of Biological Sciences | |
Potential UCARE Research Position? | Yes | |
UCARE Terms | Next summer only (2024) | |
Paid or Volunteer Experience? | Paid by UCARE Funding | |
Hours per Week | 20 during summer (UCARE) | |
Acceptable Undergraduate Majors | Biology, Plant biology, Agriculture, Ecology, Geography, or related |