Big Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata) is the foundation species of the sagebrush steppe, the largest rangeland ecosystem in the United States. The sagebrush steppe has declined by over 50% of its historical range and has become increasingly fragmented. We aim to further understand the relationship between plant chemistry across A.T. subspecies (wyomingensis, vaseyana, and tridentata) and their microbiomes in the hopes that this research can be used to inform future restoration and management within a threatened ecosystem. 

Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) is a perennial shrub and keystone species of the Great Basin ecosystem. Previous research shows that Rabbitbrush leaf chemistry varies between individual plants. This study investigated how the complex system of interactions between diverse pollinator and plant communities is shaped through plant chemistry. This project was part of a larger study that seeks to understand how Rabbitbrush chemistry influences the communities of herbivores and pollinators.