A small plant could help Missouri State University researchers better understand the health of a local lake.

Since 2025, biology senior Sarah Guymon has been studying Azolla caroliniana, a floating aquatic fern found in Lake Springfield. Her research earned two $1,000 grants earlier this year and has taken her to conferences and community organizations across Missouri and beyond.

Understanding a local plant

Although Azolla caroliniana is native to Missouri, a lab member first discovered it in Lake Springfield in 2020. Under the right conditions, the plant can spread quickly and disrupt the lake’s ecosystem.

Guymon’s research focuses on how temperature affects the plant’s growth and survival, especially as temperatures rise. She also hopes to understand how competition and nutrient availability influence its behavior.

“What initially sparked my interest in this plant is how much we don’t know about it, despite its potential as a model organism and major nutrient cycling capabilities,” Guymon said.

Her work could help other researchers better understand how to manage the plant while protecting the lake’s water quality and biodiversity.

Research support creates new opportunities

Guymon received the grants from the Webster Groves Nature Study Society and Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research.

The funding will allow her team to conduct more controlled experiments using grow lights and study how environmental conditions affect the plant.

Previous experiments revealed that Azolla can survive and grow after exposure to temperatures just above freezing. The team also found that covering the plant could be a potential management strategy, offering an alternative to herbicides in an already polluted water system.

Guymon emphasized that collaboration has played a major role in the project’s progress, with fellow lab members helping develop and review grant proposals.

Sharing science with the community

Throughout the year, Guymon has presented her research at several conferences. They include the Missouri National Resources Conference, Missouri Academy of Science Annual Meeting, College of Natural and Applied Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, as well as the Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

She has also shared her findings with local groups, including the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and the Missouri Master Naturalists Southwest chapter.

For Guymon, communicating research is just as important as conducting experiments. Each presentation offers a chance to learn from others and connect her work to real-world conversation.

Her first major undergraduate research project has also influenced her future goals. After graduating this spring, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree.

“I want to use my skills to advance the conservation of our world!” Guymon said.

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