Current and future experiments aim to identify factors that determine the frequency of hybridization, and therefore the degree of reproductive isolation, between two recently diverged taxa. 

Cadmium Accumulation

Increases in soil cadmium concentrations are of concern in agricultural areas because toxic levels of cadmium can accumulate in parts of plants that are distributed for human consumption. Experiments are underway to understand how mycorrhizal fungi and soil cadmium level interact to affect seed cadmium level, nutritional value, and yield.