Achievement

Through her participation in the AMW3-IGERT program Melissa R. Martin was able to collaborate with private, government, and academic organizations on projects to improve the control and management of invasive species in the Florida Everglades. The IGERT program supported Melissa’s travel to regional and national conferences and assisted in the establishment of professional contacts that lead to interdisciplinary research projects and funding opportunities. The results of her work will offer unique insights into the ecological consequences of exotic species invasion and methods for countering them. This issue is vital to the restoration of the Florida Everglades, one of the AMW3 watersheds of interest, because efforts are underway to restore hydrologic systems in Florida’s natural areas without a good understanding of ecosystem-level effects of exotic plants, which may ultimately hinder or even prevent restoration.