Current Projects
RestorationIn 2015, we began a riparian restoration project at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. We installed three in-stream structures to restore stream function. We planted 1800 trees and woody shrubs and over 2000 understory native species. We established long-term monitoring plots for vegetative and aquatic sampling. We are extending this work to include additional portions of the South Platte River Basin and to incorporate restoration of the grasslands surrounding our current riparian project. You can learn more about this project here https://sway.com/LHusFfEHCLkahHyH
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Rare Plant MonitoringFor many rare species, we do not know a lot about their life history or long-term trends related to environmental variation. To provide data to our federal partners on the status and biology of rare species for management purposes, we monitor several rare species to better understand demographic rates, herbivory, land use, and plant responses to climate variables. Currently we monitor Astragalus microcymbus (since 1995), Eriogonum brandegeei (2004), Penstemon harringtonii (1996), and Sclerocactus glaucus (2007). Research Associate Michelle DePrenger-Levin heads up this work.
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Ex situ ConservationTo safe guard rare species in the event of extirpation in the wild, we collect seeds of threatened species and preserve them in a cryo-seed bank. We work with the Center for Plant Conservation to monitor and collect seed from about 70 rare plant species across Colorado. These seeds then contribute to three main initiatives: 1) propagation by our horticulturists to be included in the Gardens living collections; 2) storage in a seed bank at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado; and 3) germination research at Denver Botanic Gardens. Research Assistant Alex Seglias heads up this work.
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Plant PhenologyPhenology is the study of seasonal changes of organisms, which can be affected by day length, temperature, and precipitation. Phenology is one of the most easily observable indicators of climate change. We look at relationships between plant phenology and environmental factors using herbarium records and long-term climate data. We also maintain a citizen science Phenology Trail at Denver Botanic Gardens.
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Urban EcologyA more recent initiative, our Urban Ecology program aims to better understand diversity and functioning in and around urban areas. We have several projects documenting plant and animal diversity in the Denver Metro area, establishing long-term monitoring, and exploring the relationship between diversity, function, and human activities and land use.
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Standardized Long-Term MonitoringWe are working to create standardized monitoring that can be utilized across all of the habitats in which we work and across disciplines. The ecologists and botanists on our team are working together to develop standardized data collection for both floristic surveys and ecological monitoring. We are also creating guidelines for collecting vouchers for all ecological work.
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Recent Curriculum Vitae
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