Manzanitas and Their Animals with Tom Parker: Talk

Friday, August 21 | Talk begins at 6pm

There are over a hundred different types of Manzanitas, and animals are likely one of the causes of that diversification. In contrast to other similar plants, Manzanitas have evolved a number of traits considered adaptations to fire. This talk will focus on that hypothesis, starting with surveying animals at different stages of manzanita’ s life history.

Then the talk will focus on some of Tom's current research on seed banks. Seed banks are dormant seed stored in the soil that need a stimulus to release dormancy and permit the seeds to germinate.

This event is hosted in partnership with the California Native Plant Society: Tahoe and Sierra Valley Chapter. 

About the Speaker: Tom Parker

Tom Parker was a Professor of Biology at SF State University for 40 years and is currently the Editor-In-Chief of Madroño, the professional journal of the California Botanical Society. Parker is an evolutionary plant ecologist focusing on community and evolutionary ecology, with a focus on chaparral and tidal wetlands; evolutionary ecology of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae) and Ceanothus (Rhamnaceae); public engagement on ecological/conservation issues. His research includes dispersal, seed banks, seedling establishment, mycorrhizae, and other aspects of ecology and evolution in a variety of California vegetation types, especially chaparral and tidal wetlands. He has a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.