Michelle Haynes

Alpine Rangelands, Plant Community Ecology,
Landscape Ecology and Traditional Knowledge
NSF IGERT Trainee, 2006-2010

Department of Botany
University of Wisconsin, Madison
(608) 265-2191
mahaynes at wisc.edu

Education
Research Interests
Research Experience
Publications
Teaching

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Education

Ph.D. Botany, University of Wisconsin ( Madison, WI) expected 2011.
Chinese Language Program, Yunnan University ( Kunming, China), 2005.
Stewardship Ecologist Post-Baccalaureate Diploma, Au Sable Institute, (MI), 2004.
B.S. Biology, Abilene Christian University ( Abilene, TX) 2004.
China Studies Program, Xiamen University ( Fujian, China), 2002.

Research Interests

Alpine environments including climate, hydrology, soil, vegetation (species, communities, and functional traits) and herbivore interactions. Assessing change over time and space in plant communities and traditional rangeland management practices. Evaluating ecosystem diversity, function and services, and identifying gaps in regional conservation priorities.

Current Research

In conjunction with the IGERT - Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Southwest China, my project assesses alpine rangeland species and functional diversity, spatial patterns of plant diversity, climate change, regional hydrology, and traditional rangeland management. This is carried out through collaborations with other graduate students, faculty, and the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (http://www.swchina.wisc.edu/index.en.html).

The project is based in The Three Parallel Rivers biodiversity hotspot (UNESCO), probably the most biodiverse temperate region in the world. The Salween, Mekong, and Yangtze (Jinsha) run parallel to each other through deep mountain valleys and provide fresh water to over a billion people in China and Southeast Asia (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1083/). Habitat for ~ 6,000 species of vascular plants, including >2000 medicinal and horticultural species, and many endemics, the region also has a diversity of people, from 16 different ethnic minorities in China.

The alpine rangelands in northwest Yunnan are inhabited predominately by Tibetan semi-pastoralists, who practice seasonal rotation of livestock (yaks and cows). In order to assess impacts of grazing intensity of plant species richness, I am conducting vegetation surveys, measuring plant species, percent cover, and environmental characters. In addition, interviews with the herders provide a historical context for their current grazing management strategies.

We are also measuring historical change in land cover, particularly of shrubby vegetation encroachment into meadows, using satellite images and counts of shrub growth ring. We want to determine if traditional management has maintained plant diversity through grazing and burning practices. In addition, we are analyzing the functional traits of dominant alpine plants to show how these vary across space and disturbance intensities.

Publications and Posters

Allendorf , T., J. Baumgartner, J. Behm, M. Haynes, T. Hildebrandt, B. Lawrence, J. Posner, B. Robinson, J. Van Den Hoek . 2007. Poster presented at EcoSummit: Ecological Complexity and Sustainability- Challenges and Opportunities for 21st Century Ecology in Beijing, China. “Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Southwest China.”

Haynes, M.A. & Lee, T.E., Jr. 2004. Artibeus obscurus. Mammalian Species. 752: 1-5.

Presentations

Haynes, M.A. and D. M. Waller. 2009. Assessing the grazing impact of yaks and cows on alpine rangelands in southwest China. Oral presentation at the international congress of the Society for Conservation Biology, Beijing, China.

Haynes, M.A . 2007. Paper presented at American Scientific Affiliation 62nd Annual Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland. Environmental Stewardship Parallel Session.

Research Experience

Shangri-la Alpine Botanical Garden, Shangri-la, Yunnan, China. 2006.
Herbarium and Field Assistant: Conducted vegetation survey in Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitat in Baima Nature Reserve, NW Yunnan. Identified plant specimens from NW Yunnan collection expeditions. International Relationship Assistant and Interpreter: Led tours of the gardens for English-speaking visitors and facilitated conversation between the staff and international NGO’s.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas. 2003.
Project Intern: Increased germination rates of immature seeds of Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) compared to mature seeds. Research conducted with Mark Simmons. Presented report to LBJWFC.

Applied Research Laboratory, University of Texas, Department of Defense, 2000.

Project Intern: Reducing the hydrodynamic drag of buoys used in offshore costal security. Report publication.

Teaching

Teaching Assistantship, Midwest Ecological Issues, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Spring 2007.
Teaching Assistantship, Ecology for Voters, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fall 2006.
Teaching Assistantship, Cell Biology, Abilene Christian University, Spring 2002.
Teaching Assistantship, Biology II, Abilene Christian University, Fall 2001.