Capstone Project

First Bahamas Expedition

David Fairchild headed a plant hunting expedition to the Bahamas that targeted seven islands: Cat Island, Conception, Great Inagua, Eleuthera, New Providence, Mayaguana, and Rum Cay. The expedition occurred in two parts, in December 31, 1931 and March 29, 1932. Documents and photos from the US National Archives at College Station, the Archives of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, herbarium specimens from the US National Herbarium, the Smithsonian Institution, and first hand accounts from scientists on board the research ship the Utowana were compiled to form an itinerary of the trip and a compendium of the species collected.

In total, 89 species were represented in the trip's collection ranging from seeds to the live plants themselves. A new species was identified during the trip, Coccothrinax inaguensis,
a palm endemic to the Bahamas and brought back for the United States Department of Agriculture Chapman Field Station in Miami. Fairchild introduced several varieties of plants for food and ornamental purposes throughout his trips to the Bahamas.

Working on this research project challenged me to approach research in an entirely new angle than I was familiar with. I was more accustomed to working on specimens in a laboratory setting, under microscopes and with reagents, but this project required me to delve deep into archives and first-hand accounts of botanists, agriculturists, and explorers.

It was also a different experience in collaboration, as a portion of the work was done relatively independently, and communication was conducted mainly be email correspondence. More frequent updates and helpful feedback were necessary for successful communication.

One of the most fruitful events of this research experience was when the team was approached by a graduate student, Nichole M. Tiernan, who researches the genus Plumeria to contribute to its convoluted and largely undescribed taxonomic classification. Based on the documentation and photos of the plant species taken during the first Bahamian trip, we were able to offer some photos and references of the genus from our research, all of which were published in her own work. The team was able to view her presentation on her research paper at FIU containing the supplementary photos. The feeling of your own research contributing whatsoever to another study was particualry surreal and humbling.

The nature of reading primary documents approaching a century old is such that there were cultural differences between the authors and the research team. This was especially apparent in the travelogue of Palemon Howard Dorsett, who documented the Utowana crew's reaction to the peoples and customs of each different island. Nevertheless, fundamental human behavior is unchanged, as exemplified in the abrupt detour needed during the trip to mourn the sudden death of a colleague on board the Utowana.

Additionally, I have newfound appreciation for historical research; botanical research in particular. I have learned that historical documents are valuable for research, as they can be referenced for future studies showing and describing frozen moments in time of locations that have since changed dramatically in the present. I have refined communicative and research skills throughout this project, and have also learned how grueling a process publishing a paper can be. Most importantly, I have learned how essential consistent collaborative effort in a team is to the success of a project, even in such a remote process--perhaps even moreso.