Events

Grasses and sedges possess both a subtle beauty and incredible value to ecosystems and humankind. The grass family Poaceae and the sedge family Cyperaceae are the 5th (~12,000 species) and 9th (~5,000 species) most diverse plant families on the plant. They are the dominant groups in many ecosystems, in terms of abundance and diversity. Yet, becoming familiar with this diversity is as elusive as the identification of grass and sedge species is challenging. I will provide a global overview and a regional focus on the diversity and function of grasses and sedges, providing a foundation for identification, and highlighting some of the species we commonly encounter in southern Michigan.

Tyler Bassett is a botanist and plant ecologist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension. He studies the ecology, classification, and management of ecosystems, with a focus on the rare plant species they support. In particular, he has a passion for understanding and restoring the fragmented and fire-suppressed prairie-savanna landscapes of the upper Midwest. He has worked in private, public, non-profit and academic spheres for over 20 years to bring the science and practice of conservation and restoration together to improve outcomes for biodiversity. He earned a B.S. in Biology from Western Michigan University in 2000 and PhD from Michigan State University in 2017.