R. W. Heckman

The shared genetic basis of leaf morphology and tensile resistance underlies the effect of growing season length in a widespread perennial grass

This study investigates how growing season length affects leaf tensile resistance in switchgrass through genetic correlations with morphological traits.

Disease decreases variation in host community structure in an old-field grassland

This study shows that reducing disease in grassland communities increases biomass but does not reduce variation in community structure, suggesting disease may enhance stochastic processes in shaping communities.

Correlational selection and genetic architecture promote the leaf economics spectrum in a perennial grass

The paper examines how genetic architecture and correlational selection influence the leaf economics spectrum in Panicum virgatum.

Contrasting effects of nutrients and consumers on tree colonization and growth during secondary succession

The paper examines how nutrients and consumers differentially affect tree colonization and growth during secondary succession, showing stage-specific impacts on these processes.

Host community assembly modifies the relationship between host and parasite richness

The paper tests how host community assembly affects the relationship between host and parasite richness, finding that exotic species dominance strengthens this relationship.

Priority effects, consumer pressure, and soil resources independently alter plant diversity and resource strategies during a multi-year successional field experiment

The paper examines how priority effects, consumer pressure, and soil resources influence plant diversity and functional traits over four years in a successional experiment.