How long have you been a research partner with The Dawes Arboretum?
For about 20 years! I began working with Dawes when the Dutch Fork Wetlands were in the design phase. My students and I published a paper on the early development of the DFW in 2013. Over the years I have brought many Denison classes and research students to Dawes.
What is your research about?
I study the ways in which ecosystems respond to stress. Much of my research has focused on freshwater wetlands, particularly restored and constructed wetlands. I'm interested in how these young systems develop in the early stages of succession. In the last decade or so I've incorporated landscape ecology into this picture, to better understand how surrounding land use influences ecosystem development. I've also applied these techniques to grassland and stream ecosystems.
What is the best thing about partnering with Dawes?
I'll give you two best things: the people and the land. The people at Dawes have always been wonderful collaborators. They are generous in sharing their time and expertise with research students and visitors. Second, the Arboretum has an interesting variety of ecosystems that provide excellent sites for demonstration and active research. While I love the established horticultural collections, the truly exciting areas for me are those that are being restored and managed as native habitats.
How has Dawes made your research possible?
The type of research I do is site-specific, and it requires periodic site access. Dawes has been so accommodating in allowing me and my students to visit and collect data. The Dawes staff also possess a wealth of knowledge that helps me to be sure that I am asking valid questions and designing research methods in a meaningful way.
How has the staff at Dawes assisted you and your project?
For many years I have brought classes out to various corners of the Arboretum, and frequently we've been given a tour by one or more Dawes staff members. These are great field trips, but they have also frequently planted the seed of an idea for a research project. So, Dawes staff have inspired my work and offered technical and practical help along the way. They even rescued me once when I got a van stuck in the mud!
What is something new you learned working with Dawes?
I learned that the Dutch Fork of Hog Run has an exceptionally high diversity of macroinvertebrates, as compared with similar-sized streams in this park of Ohio. I attribute this to the wetland and upland restoration work that Dawes has done in the landscape surrounding the stream.
What would you like others to know about our Arboretum?
Dawes is a gem! I suspect that many visitors know it primarily for its horticultural collection and beautiful gardens, but it is also a leader in botanical science, education and interpretation, historical research, and conservation ecology. We are so fortunate to have Dawes in our community.