STEAC Member: Dr. Joy Zedler, University of Washington

Dr. Joy Zedler is Professor of Botany and Aldo Leopold Chair in Restoration Ecology at the University of Washington. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Washington. Her scientific interests include restoration ecology, wetland ecology, reestablishment of rare plants, interactions of native and exotic species, and adaptive manage. Research at the Zedler Lab focuses on several aspects of wetland restoration. The collective goal of these studies is to understand how and why plant diversity is declining in wetlands and develop approaches for restoring wetland biodiversity and function. Key research areas within the Zedler Lab include: invasive plant species (reed canary grass and hybrid cattail)—to learn what factors facilitate invasion and how invasion can be reduced; topographic heterogeneity (California salt marshes and Wisconsin sedge meadows—investigating the importance of tidal creeks and the role of tussock sedge; and the role of nutrient availability in determining wetland plant composition.