Buell-Small Succession Study  I am currently the leader of the Buell-Small Succession Study (BSS) – the longest continuous study of succession dynamics. While the larger group has varied interests, I have focused on using the long-term vegetation data to answer questions on the causes and consequences of exotic plant invasions.  This work has been funded by the USDA and NSF and is in collaboration with Steward T. A. Pickett and Mary L. Cadenasso at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies and with Peter J. Morin at Rutgers University.  I currently have NSF grant support for two MS students/year to work on this project. More information on the BSS can be found on its website: www.ecostudies.org/bss.

Edge effects The once continuous forest that covered most of the eastern United States is all but a memory now, persisting as isolated fragments.  I am interested in the ecological consequences of this fragmentation, particularly as it relates to the ability of trees to reproduce within these forest fragments.  This was the topic of my Dissertation research at Rutgers University but continues to be of interest to me.  Many questions remain unanswered, especially in dealing with the effects of edges on plant-animal interactions such as seed predation or herbivory.

Tree regeneration My passion has been, and probably always will be in understanding tree biology.  I currently have projects dealing with the regeneration of oak trees across forest edges and the establishment and reproduction of eastern red cedar in old fields.  My main interests lie in how individual species of trees respond differently to the environment.  My research has included studies on competition, herbivory, seed predation, seedling growth and mortality.  I use a variety of tree species in an attempt to understand how these factors shape the composition and spatial pattern of forest communities. 

The ecology of invasion Much of our current work, and the focus of my current NSF support, is on the biology of exotic plant species. I am specifically interested in determining the mechanisms of impacts as well as in understanding the dynamics of these invasions in natural systems. I am also working on quantifying the differences between native and exotic communities as a whole. Recent work has specifically focused on three species, Lonicera japonica, Rosa multiflora, and Microstegium vimineum (pictured to the right).

  My Lab

It is my firm belief that students need to design and develop their own research program as part of their education. Therefore, my students are all free to study whatever research topic interests them. Below are some current student and recent research projects being done in my lab.  If you are interested in joining my group, please contact me!

Pete Frey (MS Student) Sugar maples are expanding within many forests in the Midwestern United States and represent a major conservation concern. My work aims to 1) determine stand characteristics which favor the selective recruitment of sugar maple over oak species and 2) compare the microclimactic conditions associated with maple regeneration in contrast to other species to determine habitat selectivity. The ultimate goal of this work is to generate management guidelines to preserve oak-hickory forests.

Laura Ladwig (MS Student) Lianas, or woody vines, are important parts of many forest types, but their ecology is relatively unknown. Laura’s work will use the BSS data to 1) study the population ecology of lianas during succession and 2) determine the impacts of lianas on the plant community. Associated field work will follow previously marked and measured trees to study the impacts of lianas on tree growth. Laura is also using the BSS data to study diversity patterns during succession and test the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

Nikki Pisula (Undergraduate) Nikki’s research interests lie in understanding the chemical interactions among plants, particularly allelopathy. Allelopathy is the chemical inhibition of other plants through chemicals released from leaf litter or other plant parts. Nikki’s research investigates the role of allelochemicals in determining 1) the abundance of goldenrod species in succession and 2) their impacts on associated plant species using both the BSS data and laboratory assays.

BreAnne Nott (Undergraduate) Currently my research involves looking at coral berry, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, and its reproductive success based on distance from a forest edge. By looking at several different populations of coral berry and their reproductive success it is possible to determine the influencing characteristics of the forest edge on an individual’s reproductive capacity. Also my interests involve the chemical interactions between plant species, specifically looking at the chemical that influence herbivore activity.

Tim Rye (MS Student) Plant species exhibit strategies, or trait combinations, which maximize their ability to persist within particular environmental and ecological conditions. Sorting among species that vary in these traits generates changing species composition over time. Using the BSS data, I will 1) Describe succession as a functional transition among species with similar trait combinations (i.e. functional groups), and 2) Determine whether succession leads to functional convergence among sites even though composition may remain quite different.

Natalie Morris (Undergraduate) Natalie is also interested in allelopathy. Species are typically considered to be allelopathic or not, while very little work has been done to determine under which condition might a species be more or less allelopathic. Natalie will be conducting an experimental study of Solidago canadensis to determine if the strength of its allelopathy varies in response to the environment.

Selected Publications

Scott J. Meiners, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
 

Email - sjmeiners@eiu.edu
Phone - 217-581-3425