# BRC-BIO: Tracing Impacts of Invasive Woody Plants on Lake Food Webs

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Creighton University (NE) · $500,448

## Abstract

Invasive woody plants threaten ecosystems across North America. Some Eurasian species, such as Amur honeysuckle and autumn olive, are rapidly spreading, and understanding their relative impacts is essential for devising management plans that prioritize those species that pose the greatest risk. This project will examine how invasive plants affect aquatic ecosystems in the Iowa Loess Hills, a unique ecoregion of bluffs and ravines carved from one of the world’s deepest silt deposits. The area’s lowland ponds and streams provide important habitat for various species, including sport fish like largemouth bass. Every autumn, leaf litter from surrounding forests accumulates in these water bodies, serving as food for aquatic organisms. However, the quality of this food likely depends on the plant species and their leaf characteristics. In this project, researchers will quantify leaf traits from a variety of species and trace their relative contributions to aquatic food webs, with the goal of determining how the unique characteristics of invasive woody plants shape their impacts. Furthermore, the project will engage nine undergraduate students in hands-on research, providing them with valuable skills for future careers. Finally, public involvement will be promoted through Citizen Science, allowing local communities to participate in data collection and gain insight into the study’s findings and broader applications.

To address these research questions, the researchers will (1) qu

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2437272
- **Awardee organization:** Creighton University (NE)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NH64NT271S93
- **PI:** Joseph S Phillips
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
- **Estimated total:** $500,448
- **Funds obligated:** $500,448
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 08/15/2025 → 07/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2437272

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2437272, BRC-BIO: Tracing Impacts of Invasive Woody Plants on Lake Food Webs. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2437272. Licensed CC0.

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