BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT RESEARCH INTERESTS C.V. (Resume)	Photo by: P. Lindsay	Research Program - Dr. Cynthia Dott
		Professor of Biology - Fort Lewis College Affiliate Faculty Member of Environmental Studies Riparian Plant Ecologist 2445 Berndt Hall (2nd floor of Biology wing); phone: (970)247-7322 dott_c@fortlewis.edu
		My research interests are centered on the dynamic systems of RIVERS, and the riparian VEGETATION communities they support.  I am interested in questions such as: How do geomorphology and hydrology interact to impact habitat for riparian plants? How have human alterations of river systems altered the composition and dynamics of riparian communities? What is the history of exotic tree invasion in riparian habitats, and how have native species responded or been impacted?  What is the relationship between woody vegetation composition and disturbance history on western rivers?

Projects :

• Surface-water/ground-water interactions and relation to riparian vegetation dynamics on the dam-regulated Dolores River, SW Colorado

• Floodplain history on the Dolores River: How changes in flow regimes impact plant community composition over time

• Changes in flood magnitude on the Dolores River and related shifts in bare vs. vegetated floodplain habitat

• Sediment dynamics and riparian vegetation change on the lower San Juan River, Utah

• History of Russian olive invasion on the middle San Juan River, Utah

• Willow recovery and beaver habitat in grazing exclosures along a small stream in SW Colorado, Lone Mesa State Park

• Breeding bird community composition in riparian cottonwood vs. Russian olive dominated woodlands

• Aquatic ecology student projects:

  • Macroinvertebrate communities in different watershed settings

  • Native and non-native fish populations in the dam-regulated Dolores River