Adaptations of Southern Appalachian Plants: Form & Function

Discover how plants of the Southern Appalachians adapt to their environments through the fascinating interplay of form and function. Combining field exploration with hands-on laboratory work, students will investigate how plant anatomy and morphology (form) relate to physiological traits such as photosynthesis and water relations (function), and how these determine their responses to environmental stress, including climate change. Through field excursions and a collaborative research project, students will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between form and function that shape plant growth, survival, and diversity across Southern Appalachian habitats.

With Dr. Nicole (Niky) Hughes, High Point University & Dr. Howard (Howie) Neufeld, Appalachian State University.