Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Tags: biology, landscape disturbance, botany, genetics, taxonomy, plant productivity, arctic region, morphology
| Principal Investigator: | Gillespie, Lynn J. (6) |
| Licence Number: | 13446 |
| Organization: | Canadian Museum of Nature |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2003
2000
|
| Issued: | May 26, 2003 |
| Project Team: | Laurie Con |
Objective(s): This research will study the morphological and genetic variation among arctic plants. The goals are to better define species and to write identification guides so that arctic plants may be more easily identified, and to better understand the origin and evolutionary relationships of arctic plants. The studies focus on two genera of grasses: the bluegrasses (Poa) and alkali grasses (Puccinellia), which are ecologically important as successional species in disturbed habitats, such as eroding hillsides, river banks, areas around animal burrows and human habitations. Species of both genera are taxonomically complex and very difficult to identify. In addition, a study on arctic poppies and arctic mustards will begin. Morphological and DNA data will be analyzed to define species and to study how species are related to one another. The researchers will also collect information, voucher herbarium specimens, and plant photographs for the Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago project.
