Natural History and Outreach
-Here is an article by Kathleen Wong detailing our research studying the California poppy to improve predictions of plant species performance to climate variation: https://ucnrs.org/improving-predictions-of-plant-species-survival-with-the-california-poppy/
-We are studying the ecology of plants (monkeyflowers) on the some of the highest cliffs in the world (i.e., El Capitan). Here is a video of the Big Wall Monkeyflower Project.
-UC Merced is part of the PopUp Poplar Gardens project studying climate adaptation and hybridization in poplar trees.
-Check out the California WaterBlog for information on California drought status and human and ecosystem impacts.
-The UC Merced Vernal Pools Phenology Project has been student-led and running since 2015. Here are publications related to that project:
-Here is a news article featuring our research and highlighting the use of eDNA in conservation efforts:
Gómez-Van Cortright, Guananí (2023, May 3). How the DNA We Leave Behind Can Help Conservation. Bay Nature. https://baynature.org/2023/05/03/how-the-dna-we-leave-behind-can-help-conservation/
-Check the Merced Vernal Pool & Grassland Reserve (MVPGR) website for other happenings and updates on vernal pool research.
-What is a vernal pool and who cares about vernal pools? The BIOTA team launched their first video, which highlights the importance of California Central Valley Vernal Pools (click here).
-Check out this amazing field education opportunity to spend a quarter in the field.
-Listen to this great science podcast run by UCM graduate students: RadioBio.