Cody Elliott

Hometown:

Twin Falls, ID US
(Twin Falls County)

School:

College of Southern Idaho
Undergraduate student
Engineering/Pre-med

Funded by EPSCoR Award:

ICREWS | OIA-2242769

Research Location(s):

Orton Botanical Garden

COUNTIES:  Twin Falls

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S):  District 24

Research Statement:

My research focuses on evaluating the cold hardiness of geographically distinct populations of creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) through a common-garden experiment in southern Idaho. Although creosote bush is one of the most dominant shrubs of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts, little research has examined whether populations from different environments vary in their ability to tolerate colder climates. To investigate this question, I collected juvenile creosote bushes from three habitats representing different climatic conditions: Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico; Crystal Springs, Nevada; and the southern Mojave Desert near Baker, California. Each population was transplanted into standardized containers and relocated to the Orton Botanical Garden in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they will be monitored for transplant recovery, winter survival, growth, and long-term cold tolerance under common-garden conditions. This project has provided valuable experience in experimental design, field ecology, plant physiology, and restoration science. It has also involved collaboration with the College of Southern Idaho, the Orton Botanical Garden, and the Pueblo of Isleta. Conducting fieldwork across three states while obtaining research permits, collecting environmental data, and establishing a long-term experiment has strengthened my interest in ecological research and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in medicine that incorporates environmental health and scientific investigation.

Research Impact:

Southern Idaho faces increasing challenges associated with drought, invasive annual grasses, and more frequent wildfires. While this study represents an early-stage investigation, it seeks to determine whether certain populations of creosote bush possess sufficient cold tolerance to survive Idaho winters. If successful, these findings could support future research into drought-resilient landscaping and restoration strategies that reduce water demand while improving the resilience of arid ecosystems. Beyond evaluating cold hardiness, this project contributes to a broader understanding of how plants adapt to different climates across their geographic range. The results may help identify populations that are naturally better suited to environmental change and provide a foundation for future studies on ecological restoration, wildfire resilience, and climate adaptation in the Intermountain West. Through the Idaho I-CREWS SARE program and support from the National Science Foundation (Award OIA-2242769), this research also demonstrates how undergraduate students can contribute meaningful scientific knowledge while addressing environmental challenges that are directly relevant to Idaho communities.