Rachel Putnam Rachel Putnam

Graduate Student
Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Office: 409 Ecology Building
1987 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
putn0048@umn.edu

Education
University of Minnesota (current) Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Graduate Program
Carleton College (2001) B.A., Ecosystem Science

Research
I am interested in the interaction between plant communities and their abiotic environment, and specifically, the role that dominant plants might play as keystone species through affecting ecosystem processes.  By understanding the mechanisms by which a plant is acting as a keystone species and its effects on the community, we can then begin to ask broader questions about the implications for the entire community if these processes are disrupted. 

Another project that I have been working on is a part of the larger BioCON experiment at Cedar Creek.  Plots planted with prairie plants at different diversity levels were given treatments of elevated and ambient levels of CO2 and N.  By measuring the richness and cover of the “weeds” (non-planted species) that invade these plots, I hope to answer questions about whether elevated CO2, N, plot diversity, functional group identity, or functional group diversity might affect the establishment of species not originally planted in these plots.  

Presentations
Putnam, R. and M. Aronson.  2007.  Examining the effects of elevated CO2 and N on invasion in a grassland ecosystem.  Presented at the 2007 Cedar Creek Research Symposium.

Hometown: Originally from rural New Hampshire, I lived in New York and Rhode Island before moving to Minnesota in 2006.

Hobbies and interests: I enjoy gardening, cooking good meals with fresh vegetables, baking, music, and identifying plants.  Whether canoeing, hiking, or just rambling, I also try to spend as much time outdoors as possible.