Summer Research 2021 Poster Session
Summer 2021
Toronto’s ravine system is the foremost defining geography in the city. The forested ravines cover nearly 20% of the city, according to the Guardian. In the words of Robert Fulford, author of Toronto, Accidental City, “they are the heart of the city’s emotional geography, and understanding Toronto requires an understanding of the ravines.” The environmental … Read more
Live Poster Session: Thursday, July 29th 1:15-2:30pm EDT Video: Abstract: Aquatic invasive species not only pose a threat to the natural balance of ecosystems, but also impede recreational activities, and result in economic damage to individuals, towns, and states. Several studies have previously explored the impact aquatic invasive species can have on the natural environment; … Read more
Abstract: Lignin is an organic polymer that makes up a large portion of the world’s biowaste. It is found linked to cellulose in plant cell walls and is a waste product of the pulp/paper industry. Although very abundant in the world, it is primarily used as a furnace fuel and converted directly into CO2. However, … Read more
Abstract: The Sultan lab studies phenotypic plasticity and its transgenerational effects in the generalist, annual plant Polygonum persicaria. Phenotypic plasticity describes the ability of a single genotype to produce multiple phenotypes (physical traits) in different environments. The plasticity we study allows plants to integrate information from their current and previous (parental and grandparental) environments in … Read more
Abstract: Ecosystems are full of complex interactions between species ranging from direct, such as an insect consuming a leaf, to indirect, like the indirect interactions between two insects that share the same food source. One of these many interactions is the relationship of defoliating herbivores and phloem-feeding insects. Phloem-feeding insects trigger a defensive response in … Read more
Abstract: In his De materia medica, Dioscorides catalogues thousands of medicinal plants from across the Mediterranean and identifies the regional sources of the most potent varieties. As of yet, no effort has been made to analyze the regional, environmental conditions of the locations noted by Dioscorides and other contemporary authors like Pliny the Elder, in … Read more
Abstract: Post-fire stand, water balance, and hydrology are critical factors influencing vegetation recovery after a wildfire. Fire severity, and the amount of fire-induced tree mortality influence post-fire vegetation water cycling, as the rate of water movement from the soil to the atmosphere, depends upon the amount of live vegetation cover in the wake of wildfire. … Read more