Kasey Barton

Dr. Kasey Barton is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her research focuses on plant functional ecology, particularly in island ecosystems, examining plant tolerance to stressors such as herbivory, drought, fire, and salinity. She employs a trait-based approach and emphasizes ontogenetic shifts in trait expression to understand plant survival strategies. A central theme of her work is comparing native Hawaiian plants to continental species to uncover unique island plant syndromes and inform conservation efforts. Dr. Barton’s lab actively investigates plant defense mechanisms, species interactions, and the impacts of environmental change on biodiversity.

Her research spans experimental, observational, and synthetic methods, with a focus on native Hawaiian flora. Notable contributions include studies on island fire tolerance, seed salinity tolerance, and the role of intraspecific trait variation in ecological processes. She collaborates widely, contributing to global initiatives like the OpenNahele database for Hawaiian forest plots. Dr. Barton mentors students and supports undergraduate research, as highlighted in recent institutional recognitions.

Labs/Teams: Barton Lab focuses on plant functional ecology and conservation biology, emphasizing island systems. Key collaborations involve researchers in botany, ecology, and environmental science.