My research focuses on the mechanisms that allow understory herbaceous species of rich cove forests in the Southern Appalachians to coexist and the implications of current forest management on this community. The herbaceous layer has high species richness and is vulnerable to disturbance, providing an ideal setting to investigate the patterns and processes of community structure.

I am addressing whether patterns of species diversity, abundance, and spatial structure in logged forests return to patterns found in old growth forests. I am also looking at how species coexist based on limiting similarity of traits indicative of resource use along with the role of competition and snail herbivory in spring wildflower communities

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The goal of my study is to accurately understand community structure and coexistence among herbaceous species under large-scale forest disturbance regimes.

I work in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina and I am stationed at Highlands Biological Station. I will be hiring field assistants for the spring and summer of 2007. Please e-mail at wyattj2@wfu.edu if you are interested.