Bachelor of Landscape Architecture student Caitlin Teuton recently presented the culmination of two years of research at UGA’s 2018 Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) symposium, held at the Classic Center in Athens. Caitlin monitored different ground preparation treatments for maritime longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests that will eventually support relocated gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) on the Isle of Hope in Savannah.
Caitlin found that longleaf pines have better initial survivability when grown in well-drained, low organic sandy soils from which residual forestry operations have been cleared. Her research will aid landowners who want to support indigenous fauna by restoring the native herbaceous layer in coastal environments. Gopher tortoises, which are a protected species, create burrows in the sandy soil of the longleaf pine forests, which in turn support other wildlife.
Associate Professor Jon Calabria, Sarah Ross, executive director of the UGA Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe, and Craig Barrow served as advisors to Caitlin. She was supported in her studies by CURO and the College of Environment and Design, as well as the Wormsloe Institute for Environmental History. For more information about this year’s CURO symposium, please go to https://curo.uga.edu/symposium/BOAs/CURO2018BOA.pdf.
