Plant Science — OUR SCIENTISTS

Elizabeth A. Cody

Manager, Aquatic Plant Studies

B.S. in Environmental Management 2000, Indiana University
M.S. in Botany 2006, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,
Specialization in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology

(847) 835-6843

Research INterests

• Native and invasive plant interaction
• Ecology and restoration of wetland systems
• Plant survival in extreme conditions
• Native plant restoration and water quality improvement
• Propagation of rare and endangered species

Statement

My primary research interest is the conservation and restoration of native wetland plants. The focus of my Master’s thesis was the interaction between five native Hawaiian coastal species and the invasive plant species Batis maritima. I investigated the effect of salinity and flooding on the germination, growth, and competitiveness of all selected species to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in developing a restoration plan for the Waiawa unit of Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. I hope to continue researching wetland ecosystems and exploring how native and non-native species’ interaction impacts the productivity and sustainability these systems. In the future, I am particularly interested in learning more about specific propagation and restoration techniques for rare and endangered plant species to help improve successful restoration of impacted areas. In addition, I am interested in determining population sizes of native plant species necessary to exert sufficient pressure to suppress invasive plant species.