Academy of Science of St. Louis. All accomodation in Saint Louis

The Academy of Science of St. Louis announces its

2005 Outstanding St. Louis Scientists Awards

Click here more information.

The Academy of Science of St. Louis would like to acknowledge

the major sponsors that help underwrite this site

through their support and generous contributions:

The Boeing Company

Emerson

Employees Community Fund of Boeing-St. Louis

The May Department Stores

Presented in partnership with the Saint Louis Zoo

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Alien Invasion: Rare Plants and Invasive Species -

Ecological Causes and Conservation Issues

Tiffany Knight, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology,

Washington University in St. Louis

What causes some species to become so rare that they are at risk for extinction while others become so abundant that they displace other species and cause environmental damage? Currenly, one out of every four plant species is at risk of extinction, while invasive plant species are a huge threat to global biodiversity. Humankind has many major problems to tackle, so it can be hard to see why we should care about thousands of plant species going extinct. Conservation biology is rooted in a general concern to protect nature because of its intrinsic and aesthetic values. Although this is still important, recently it has become aparent that conservation of the natural world is essential for the continued survival and well being of humankind.

Dr. Tiffany Knight, an Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, is an ecologist who studies the causes of rarity and invasiveness in plants. She applies her research to on-the-ground plant conservation. Her rare plant work is a collaborative effort that includes the National Park Service, the Center for Plant Conservation, the Nature Conservancy, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. Her invasive plant research involves collaboration with the United States Department of Conservation. Dr. Knight discusses how the future of plant conservation will require joint efforts between academics, federal and state agencies, local land managers and citizen stewards.

Saint Louis Zoo Living World

Click here for details Science Seminar Series

This event is free and open to the public.

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