Geological Survey

Description

U.S. Geological Surveyâ¿¿s (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center is offering a funding opportunity for research to explore the plant-microbe interactions in Phragmites australis, with a primary focus in the Great Lakes basin. In order to develop a microbe-based management approach for invasive plants, this research will study samples of Phragmites plants (or related species) grown or collected in collaboration with ongoing USGS studies to isolate, identify, and experiment with microbes (e.g., fungi, bacteria). The goals of this research are to improve our understanding of ways that fungal, bacterial, and oomycete communities affect Phragmites invasiveness and provide targets for microbial control or enhancement. To better understand the underlying microbial mechanisms of invasiveness in Phragmites and to identify potential control mechanisms, to identify major differences in the mutualist and pathogen communities between native and non-native Phragmites and their overall effects on plant productivity. Will explore microbial manipulations that will target microbial communities to limit the growth of non-native Phragmites.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves 703-648-7356 <br/>fgraves@usgs.gov <br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov