21st Annual Student Research Conference
Creating a Taxonomic Key to the Plants on Truman State University Campus
Ryan A. Kiel
Dr. Michael Seipel and Dr. Charlie Apter (Northeast Texas Community College), Faculty Mentors
Our goal in this project was to develop an up-to-date taxonomic survey of the Truman State University campus using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to map each tree, shrub, and perennial plant. At one time, an accurate map of the campus cultivated landscape plants existed, but new construction and time rendered this map obsolete. Development of this new key of the campus plants would be helpful in identifying plants for Physical Plant personnel working for the grounds crew. Such a key would also enable students in botany and horticulture classes to broaden their field of study in reference to the variety of plants available on campus. A Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx map navigator was used to plot coordinates of specimen locations and with the help of the Missouri Department of Conservation; we were able to plot the coordinates on a map of the campus.
Keywords: Taxonomic key, GPS coordinates, speimens, , research, trees/shrubs, campus, horticulture, Garmin
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-3
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15