Elizabeth Boughton (Betsey)
Director of Research

Ph.D., University of Central Florida, 2009
B.S., Central Michigan University, 2001

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Broadly, I am interested in understanding factors that drive biodiversity.  I am interested in mechanisms that influence the persistence of species in disturbed ecosystems and understanding constraints of anthropogenic activities on community assembly.  I employ multi-scale techniques, where I examine landscape level patterns on native and non-native species and utilize experimental manipulations at both the community and patch levels.   I am interested in understanding how management regimes can be utilized to restore native species and have a strong interest in restoration.  To that end, I often focus on responses of both native and non-native species.  My research interests cover 5 themes:

1. Plant-plant interactions along stress gradients

2. Effects of habitat spatial structure on native and non-native diversity

3. Vegetation dynamics in response to disturbance

4. Understanding habitat susceptibility to invasion by non-native species

5. Tradeoffs between ecosystem services

Much of my research takes place in the context of subtropical rangelands of the Northern Everglades.  I work closely with both scientists and ranch managers and a primary goal is to integrate ecological research with ranch operations.