Preston R. Aldrich
- Evolutionary ecology
- Invasive plants
- Old-growth
- Forest disturbance
- Laboratory
- Microsatellites
- Functional genomics
Invasive plants
The invasive tree Ailanthus altissima was first imported into Philadelphia from China by way of England in 1784 and has since spread to most states in the U.S. by tracking human disturbances. Though mainly an urban weed to date, it also is invading forested areas. The species employs many of the strategies typical of invasive plants. It reproduces early and profusely, wherein a single adult can produce over a million seed, each of which can travel long distances through a combination of wind and movement facilitated by cars, trucks, and trains. The species has aggressive clonal growth and relies of disturbance and high sunlight to maintain a presence. Moreover, it produces toxins that inhibit plant growth and render it unpalatable to many herbivores.
We are studying genetic variation at anonymous and adaptively-important loci to identify patterns of variation, reconstruct its invasion history, and help develop plans for its control. I am collaborating on this funded project with Dr. Gary Greer at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, who is focusing on characterizing regional biochemical variation in Ailanthus.
