Wetland Plant Ecology Research Group

Our research program addresses two questions:

1. How do anthropogenic stressors (climate change, eutrophication, altered land use, introduction of exotic species) affect wetland plant communities and consequently, ecosystem functioning?

2. How can wetland plant communities mediate the often adverse affects of a rapidly growing, resource demanding, human population?

 

Our approach to research:

Wetlands are an integral part of ecosystems globally, playing crucial roles in: Shoreline stabilization, storm protection, sediment and nutrient retention, groundwater replenishment, flood control, climate change mitigation, water purification, reservoirs of biodoversity, cultural value, recreation/tourism, and production of resources.  Despite these important functions, wetlands are threatened globally.  We are working to discover  links between the impacts on wetlands and the mediation of those impacts through field, laboratory and greenhouse studies on the anatomy, root symbioses, and responses to perturbation of wetland plants.

Articles published or accepted in refereed journals:

Seago JL, Jr., Marsh L, Stevens KJ, Soukup A, Votrubova O, and Enstone D. 2005. Review: A reexamination of the root cortex of wetland flowering plants with respect to aerenchyma. Annals of Botany 96: 565-579.

Stevens KJ, Spender SW, and Peterson RL. 2002. Phosphorus, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and performance of the wetland plant Lythrum salicaria L. under inundated conditions. Mycorrhiza 12: 277-283.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. 2002. The aerenchymatous phellem of Lythrum salicaria L.: a pathway for gas transport and its role in flood tolerance. Annals of Botany 89: 621-625. (Featured article - Content Select)

Lempe J, Stevens KJ, and Peterson RL. 2001. Shoot responses of 6 Lythraceae species to flooding. Plant Biology 3: 186-193.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Stephenson GR. 1997. Morphological and anatomical responses of Lythrum salicaria to an imposed water gradient. International Journal of Plant Sciences 158: 172-183.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Stephenson GR. 1997. Vegetative propagation and tissues involved in the lateral spread of Lythrum salicaria L. (purple loosestrife). Aquatic Botany 56: 11-24.

Stevens KJ, and Peterson RL. 1996. The effect of a water gradient on the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Lythrum salicaria L. (purple loosestrife). Mycorrhiza 6: 99-104.

Stevens KJ, and Melville L. 1995. Surfing the net for mycorrhizas. Mycorrhiza 6: 77-78.  

Other published contributions:

Stephenson GR, Corrigan JE, Bueglas J, Cooper A, Fiesthauer NC, Laing JE, MacKenzie D, McCaughey TL, Medina C, Peterson RL and Stevens KJ. 2000. Studies on the biology and control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) at the University of Guelph. Proceedings of the Joint Meetings of the Vegetation Management Associations of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces of Canada (AQGV-OVMA-AVMA, Quebec City, PQ October 24-27, 2000). Pages 1-7.

Peterson RL, and Stevens KJ. 2000. Evidence for the uptake of non-essential and essential nutrient ions by root hairs and their effect on root hair growth. In Root Hairs: Cell and molecular biology. Edited by Ridge RW, and Emons AMC. Springer-Verlag, Tokyo. Pages 179-195. (Invited chapter)

Published Abstracts of Presentations at Scientific Meetings:

Stevens KJ, Spender SW, and Peterson RL. Phosphorus, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and performance of the wetland plant Lythrum salicaria L. 4th International Conference on Mycorrhizae. Montreal, Quebec. August 2003.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. Root system characteristics and plant performance under conditions of flooding and drought: can predictive models of wetland plant response be constructed using root system characteristics?  Botany 2003: The annual meeting of four societies (Botanical Society of America, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, American Bryological and Lichenological Society, American Fern Society). Mobile, Alabama. July 2003. 

Stevens KJ, Spender SW, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the performance of the wetland plant Lythrum salicaria (L.) under flooded conditions. Canadian Mycorrhizal Symposium. Quebec City, Quebec. April 2002.

Stevens KJ, Spender SW, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. Mycorrhiza in semi-aquatic environments: studies with Lythrum salicaria. ICOM 3 – 3rd International Conference on Mycorrhizas. Adelaide, South Australia. July 2001.

Stevens KJ, Lempe J, and Peterson RL. Shoot responses of six Lythraceae species to flooding. Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists 2000 Eastern Regional Meeting. Waterloo, Ontario. December 2000.

Ma F, Stevens KJ, Peterson CA, and Peterson RL. Phellem development in the root and stem of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.). 34th Plant Development Workshop. Toronto, Ontario. November 2000.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. Adventitious roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and aerenchyma: their role in flood tolerance of Lythrum salicaria. Canadian Botanical Association/ Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists Joint Meeting. London, Ontario. June 2000.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Reader RJ. Adventitious roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and aerenchyma: their role in flood tolerance of Lythrum salicaria. XVI International Botanical Conference. St. Louis, Missouri. August 1999.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Stephenson GR. Morphological and anatomical responses of Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) to an imposed water gradient. 31st Plant Development Workshop. London, Ontario. November 1996.

Stevens KJ, Peterson RL, and Stephenson GR. Tissues involved in the vegetative propagation of Lythrum salicaria. National Conference on Purple Loosestrife Management. Guelph, Ontario. October 1995.

Stevens KJ, and Peterson RL. The mycorrhizal status of Lythrum salicaria. Proceedings of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists and the Canadian Botanical Association. Guelph, Ontario. June 1995.

Stevens KJ, and Peterson RL. The effect of a water gradient on the VAM colonization of Lythrum salicaria under field conditions. 14th Annual Winter Workshop in Mycology. London, Ontario. March 1994.

 

Department of Biological Sciences -  Institute of Applied Science -  University of North Texas -  Denton TX 76203  -  Office: EESAT Room 320K  -  Lab: EESAT Room 262  -  Tel.: (940) 565-3604  - kjstevens@unt.edu