The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Integrative Organismal Systems awarded a 3-year, $107,203 Project Grant to the University of Utah under the Biological Sciences (CFDA 47.074) program. This collaborative research project will quantify alternative water use strategies employed by plants in hot environments to avoid heat damage. The research aims to: (1) determine the prevalence of these strategies across diverse plant species, (2) identify key traits that predict this behavior, (3) develop models to predict when this water use prioritization occurs, and (4) validate these predictions along an elevation gradient. The findings will advance core theories in plant ecology and improve the representation of plant water use in Earth system models, ultimately enhancing climate change predictions. The project will also contribute to the training of early career scientists and outreach to the public through an exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Generated 5/14/24, 5:31 AM