Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Understanding temporal changes in plant leaf traits of native and non-native Kentucky plants using long-term herbarium records
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Kate He; Dr. Oliver Beckers
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Herbarium specimens are the most valuable, verifiable, and sustainable records to study the impacts of climate change on the biota. Temporal herbarium data can provide critical information on how species respond to changes in habitat conditions by tracking changes in species’ morphological and phenological traits. This study aims to use Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) and Common Greenbrier (Simlax rotundifolia) to assess the impact of climate change on invasive and native plants. Further study of these changes can provide vital understanding of how the environment is adapting to major climate change and can even possibly help us know where to focus our efforts to work against global warming.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Understanding temporal changes in plant leaf traits of native and non-native Kentucky plants using long-term herbarium records
Herbarium specimens are the most valuable, verifiable, and sustainable records to study the impacts of climate change on the biota. Temporal herbarium data can provide critical information on how species respond to changes in habitat conditions by tracking changes in species’ morphological and phenological traits. This study aims to use Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica) and Common Greenbrier (Simlax rotundifolia) to assess the impact of climate change on invasive and native plants. Further study of these changes can provide vital understanding of how the environment is adapting to major climate change and can even possibly help us know where to focus our efforts to work against global warming.
