Gene Flow in Campanula rotundifolia at European and North American Contact Zones

Biologists often find studying widespread species challenging for many reasons, not least of which is the necessity to navigate different governments, languages, and cultures when species cross international borders. This project will establish cooperation between universities and botanical laboratories in Canada, the Czech Republic, England, and Germany. These international collaborations will help us understand the genetics and evolution of a widespread and ecologically important wildflower species, the Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia). This species forms genetically unique populations throughout Europe and North America, and these collaborations will allow us to study the plants in their native habitats with help from local experts.