What we do

We study the evolution of plant physiology and its mechanistic links to the ecological functioning of populations, communities and ecosystems.  Current projects include studies of the genetic basis and evolution of physiological mechanisms that facilitate adaptation to drought and mediate interactions between plants and fungi, how invasive species influence the physiology and evolution of native species, and the implications of functional trait diversity for community assembly and ecosystem function. 

Because plant physiology directly affects the primary productivity of the earth and the cycling of nutrients and water, our work is increasingly focused on predicting how the course of physiological evolution will be affected by human influences on climate and the global transport of biota.

To do this work, we utilize a variety of tools and approaches, including molecular, quantitative genetic and phylogenetic methods, measurements of plant carbon, water and nutrient relations at different scales, as well as greenhouse, growth chamber and field experiments.

Please click the 'research' link on the menu bar at the top of this page to see a description of specific research questions.

Opportunities

I have openings for undergraduate and graduate students.  Please follow the Prospective Students link on the menu bar at the top of this page for more information on undergraduate and graduate opportunities. 

I am currently seeking postdoctoral fellows to study the ecological and evolutionary physiology of plant-mycorrhizal interactions and to study the community and ecosystem consequences of plant-endophyte interactions. 

Recent publications

Powell J.R., Parrent J.L., Klironomos, J.N., Hart, M.M., Rillig M.C. & Maherali H.  2009.  Phylogenetic trait conservatism and the evolution of functional tradeoffs in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.  Proceedings of the Royal Society, Biological Sciences, in press.

Maherali H., Walden A.E. & Husband B.C.  2009. Genome duplication and the evolution of physiological responses to water stress.  New Phytologist, in press.

Maherali H., Caruso C.M. & Sherrard M.E.  2009.  The adaptive significance of ontogenetic changes in leaf physiology: a test with Avena barbata.  New Phytologist, 183:908-918.

Sherrard M.E., Maherali H., & Latta R.G.  2009.  Water stress alters the genetic architecture of functional traits associated with drought adaptation in Avena barbata.  Evolution, 63:702-715.