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Home > People > Graduate Students > Maggie J. Sporck
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Maggie J. Sporck PhD Student Plant Structure/Function Track Contact Information University of Hawai`i at Manoa |
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Affiliations Ecophysiology of the Hawaiian Chamaesyce radiation: inter-relationships between leaf traits and environment Personal Statement: My PhD research focuses on the relationship between leaf structure and habitat of the Hawaiian Chamaesyce. There are approximately 30 Chamaesyce taxa in Hawaii that have radiated from a single colonizer. The Hawaiian group possesses features that are unique in light of the fact that they are C4 photosynthetic. Typically, C4 plants have a specific anatomy that allow them to flourish in habitats of high light and low moisture, and are most commonly grasses. The Hawaiian Chamaesyce, however, include a variety of life-forms and habitat preferences, and the only trees with C4 photosynthetic leaves known to science. Investigation of this genus in Hawaii is important and interesting because of their unique physiology, and the rarity of several of the species. More generally, I am interested in plant anatomy and physiology and whole plant function. In particular, I am excited about in how plant structure and function adapt in response to the environment at all levels of plant organization. Publications:
 Collecting Chamaesyce kuwaleana in the Waianae mountains |
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