Plants on the Move! What Can We Learn From Blackgum Trees?
Twin Hickory Library (Henrico County Library System)
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Wild Ones Greater Richmond Chapter will host Ethan Skuches, who will present on some fascinating research about understanding, monitoring, and adapting to the shifting of species’ ranges in response to climate change. Ethan's doctoral research centers around Nyssa sylvatica (Black Tupelo/Blackgum)--a native tree with a wide range (from Canada to Florida) and that is increasingly popular in urban and suburban plantings because of its tolerance for compacted urban soils, periodic flooding, and temporary drought conditions.
The NYSSA Project (Navigating the Yearly Shifting of Species’ Areas) asks questions about assisted migration like "How far can we move facultative species? Do different populations encode differing resiliencies?" Using blackgum as a proxy for other facultative tree species, the research investigates the tree's adaptive capacity to respond to rapid environmental change. The project also includes opportunities for guided participation and contributions by citizen scientists!
Join us during Richmond Tree week to learn more about a very special native tree and how it can help us prepare for the future.