Desert StudiesIris Garthwaite
2021 The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies

Using a Geographic Mosaic of Climate Variation to Assess Genetic vs. Environmental Sources of Variation in Populus fremontii Leaf Venation
Garthwaite studies climate change effects on Fremont Cottonwoods, to conserve this iconic foundation tree species. Combining advanced histology and innovative image analysis methods, she uses the Southwest Experimental Garden Array and digital herbarium specimens to understand the relationship between climate and Fremont Cottonwoods across spatial and temporal scales. Her goal is to communicate her findings to conservation practitioners to advance climate-related adaptive management strategies for Southwestern riparian corridors.
The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies
To promote the study of horticulture, conservation, botany, environmental science, and landscape design relating to the arid landscape.
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