Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2011VI184B

Evaluating Drought Tolerance of Virgin Islands Native Trees Suitable for Landscaping

Institute: Virgin Islands
Year Established: 2011 Start Date: 2011-03-01 End Date: 2013-05-30
Total Federal Funds: $31,538 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Michael Morgan, Thomas Zimmerman

Project Summary: This project will evaluate the drought tolerance of 4 native plants suitable for ornamental planting, across a gradient of rainfall typically found in the US Virgin Islands. Survival and growth rates will be measured. Other physiological parameters will be measured for use in future studies. An undergraduate student will be employed to help produce plants for the study, help with data collection and statistical analysis of the data. The results from this research will provide vital information about for operators of plant nurseries and landowners on the water requirements of native plants used for landscaping. It is hoped that the more wide spread use of native plants around buildings will conserve both water and biodiversity.