Our lab is studying the potential ecological impact of invasive species on natural ecosystems and the services they provide. A major study is underway on one of the most threatening exotic tree species in the eastern United States: Ailanthus altissima. This species has the potential to alter ecosystem services provided by the eastern deciduous forest region.

A longstanding focus of our lab is the application of population biology methods to conservation of wild harvested species. Much of our research has been on American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), the premiere wild harvested herbal product of the United States. However, recently, we have also begun studying goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). The central issue is the same for all of these species: Can the culturally- and economically-important harvest continue in a sustainable fashion? The answer to this conundrum lies in application of state-of-the-art techniques of population biology and ecological genetics to our understanding of natural populations. Our present project involves an in-depth evaluation of population viability in 29 populations of American ginseng spread across the central portion of its range.