Professor Fowler and her students are currently pursuing a variety of questions in several areas of plant population ecology and plant community ecology. These areas include (1) the dynamics and regulation of plant populations; (2) the effects of herbivory and of fire on plant population dynamics and plant-plant interactions; (3) the factors that determine plant distributions and plant community composition and dynamics across the landscape. A number of their current projects have conservation applications, including studies of endangered species, studies of non-native invasive species, and the management of central Texas woodlands, grasslands, and savannas. They study a variety of plant species (grasses, wildflowers, woody plants) and communities, mostly in central Texas. They use field experiments, descriptive field studies, and mathematical models.
To EVS bio-track students: I am also your faculty adviser. So come talk to me about finding a mentor for your capstone project if you need advice or help with that. (Or any other EVS issues, of course.) To EEB students: I used to be the EEB faculty adviser. If you are interested in ecology, you are also welcome to come see me.