Clark, Deborah

My research focuses on understanding and predicting the interactions of plants with their environment during the regeneration stage. I apply this understanding in the context of restoration of native habitats, specifically to promote the abundance of native species and to inhibit the abundance of weedy non-native species.

In addition to understanding these ecological interactions, I believe we need the ability to predict regeneration patterns. For example, we need to be able to predict how native and non-native plant species will regenerate after habitat management treatments. My approach is to develop predictive models that correlate easily measured plant traits (rather than plant species) with establishment rates in the field.

Recently, I have expanded my research to include belowground and aboveground interactions in understanding the ecology of plant regeneration. For example, I am interested in how weedy non-native species affect belowground properties that promote their regeneration and persistence and at the same time inhibit the regeneration and growth of native species. In particular, I am investigating the influence of mycorrhizal fungi on seedling establishment in the context of restoration of native habitats.