As climate change accelerates, forests are undergoing subtle but significant transformations—often driven by species once planted in our backyards. Sidharth Siddapureddy ’25 is investigating one such shift, studying how the umbrella magnolia, a tree historically confined to gardens, is now spreading into native forests. As a Voss Fellow and research assistant in Professor Dov Sax’s laboratory, he’s analyzing the ecological impact of this species to understand whether its expansion is altering biodiversity. His work sheds light on a growing global question: How will climate-driven species migrations shape the future of our ecosystems? 

How would you summarize your research? 

“I’m studying the effects of a non-native tree: Magnolia tripetala, also known as an umbrella magnolia. Originally native to the Virginia area, this species was planted in gardens across the Northeast in the 18th and 19th centuries. But over the past 50 to 80 years, as temperatures in the region have risen, the umbrella magnolia has been able to establish itself outside of these gardens. It has started to grow in forests. 

To understand its impact, I visited sites where the trees had spread into forests and gathered data on where they were growing, comparing it to surrounding biodiversity. Ultimately, I hoped to see if there was a reduction in diversity due to the growth of this tree.”

Why is this research important in the context of climate change? 

“As temperatures rise, we’re seeing more garden-planted species establishing themselves in native forests—not just in the Northeast, but globally. Understanding the potential impacts of these escaped species is crucial to understand how ecosystems around us might change under a warming climate.” 

What was your fieldwork like?

“My fieldwork spanned about a month and a half over the summer. I traveled to 14 field sites in total in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Most of the time, I was on my own—waking up early, heading into the forests, gathering some data, setting up circular plots, and then got home before it got too hot.”

How are you incorporating your findings into your thesis? 

“For my thesis, I’ve spent a lot of time refining and analyzing the data. I’ve also been calculating diversity metrics, and now I’m conducting statistical tests to assess the ecological impact of the umbrella magnolia’s spread. My thesis advisor, Dov Sax, has provided a lot of direct mentorship throughout this process, offering incredible guidance and expertise at every step.”

Where do you see this work taking you in the future? 

“Understanding how ecosystems and forests are going to respond to climate change is crucial. From this research, I now want to continue looking at the impacts of climate change, not just in the Northeast, but around the world.”

Learn more about the Voss Fellowship program