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Green Roofs in Western PennsylvaniaUndergraduate students have examined several native plant species, including Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Joe Pye-weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis), False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa),and Sundrops (Oenothera tetragona), to determine which will thrive with minimal care in a low-maintenance green roof setting. Students are currently experimenting with vegetable and herb varieties (beans, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, sunflowers, basil, and cucumbers) to determine fitness for green roof cultivation in urban settings. Plans to start rainwater runoff and acid rain remediation projects are in development. These projects have been funded by Eisler Landscaping, the IUP Graduate School, and the IUP Biology Department.
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Arthropod ProjectsUndergraduate and graduate students have developed a variety of arthropod-related research projects. Recent graduates assessed the impact of various native and non-native food sources and incubation/rearing temperatures on Medauroidea extradentata (Annam stick insect) reproduction and development. Current graduate students are examining soil samples collected at the Flight 93 National Memorial to compare soil microarthropod assemblages associated with the different native tree species planted as part of an ongoing reforestation effort at the site.
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