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Vanessa Howard - Research & Projects
vhoward@pdx.edu B.A Community Studies • UC Santa Cruz Vanessa is in her fourth year at Portland State, researching the spread of non-native cordgrasses (Spartina spp.) in Pacific estuaries. Her research has focused on vegetative reproductive capabilities of Spartina alterniflora as well as determining the potential geographic spread of Spartina propagules via ocean currents. In both 2003 and 2005, she completed extensive early-detection surveys of susceptible Oregon habitat as part of Oregon’s Spartina Response Plan and has worked on education & outreach to watershed councils and other interested stakeholders. During 2004, she completed a greenhouse study of S. alterniflora rhizome survival and viability. Most recently she has completed the Spartina Dispersal Study (September 2004 – August 2005), utilizing small buoyant drift cards to identify common sites for Spartina wrack deposition from three heavily Spartina-infested bays. Other projects currently underway include updating the plant portion of the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, developing a field guide to aquatic plants of Alaska, and conducting additional early detection surveys along the coast. |
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