Seeds
Alpine seeds. Using seeds from Australian alpine species, I explore fundamental questions about their responses to a changing climate: How will climate change affect seed germination strategies? What are the temperature and water availability limits for germination? Does a dry maternal environment enhance seed and seedling tolerance to water stress?
Soil seed banks and climate change. The relationship between climate, seed dormancy, and germination suggests that climate change will impact soil seed banks. My research examines how fire, drought, early snowmelt, and freezing events influence the persistence and germination of seeds in alpine and treeline ecosystems.
Seed conservation. Seed banking is a vital strategy for plant conservation. I have worked with Pronatura Veracruz to identify and characterize endangered tree populations in eastern Mexico and have collected seeds from numerous species, now safeguarded in Pronatura's seed bank.
Beschorneria yuccoides (Asparagaceae) seeds
Species widely used in Europe and Australia as ornamental, but that no one cares about it in its natural distribution (East Mexico). Seeds collected to produce plants in a native plant nursery and to be stored in a seed bank
Alnus jorullensis (Betulaceae) seeds
A useful species in Mexico mountains. Seeds collected to produce plants in a native plant nursery and so be stored in a seed bank