Dissertation Research: Granivory in a Shrub-Steppe Ecosystem: Interactions of Harvester Ant Foraging and Native Seed Patches

论文研究：灌木草原生态系统中的谷粒食物：收割蚁觅食与本地种子斑块的相互作用

• 批准号: 8715176
• 负责人: James MacMahon
• 金额: $ 0.6万
• 依托单位: Utah State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1988
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1988-02-15 至 1990-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8715176&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Granivory; Shrub; Steppe

Reciprocal interactions between granivorous animals and seeds can have important consequences in arid ecosystems. However, the specific behavioral responses of granivores to seed resource characteristics are poorly understood. A series of studies that combine field investigations at three spatial scales and simulation modelling will address the interactions between an important shrub-steppe granivore, the western harvester ant, and its seed resources. Studies range from a mechanistic analysis of individual ant foraging behavior in native seed patches to measuring various aspects of colony organization and patterns of resource use. An integration of behavioral and resource-based approaches will improve our understanding of interactions that are widespread among arid environments.

食谷动物和 种子在干旱的生态系统中可产生重要的后果。 然而，食草动物对种子的特定行为反应 对资源特性了解甚少。 一系列 在三个空间尺度上结合联合收割机实地调查的研究 和模拟建模将解决一个 重要的灌木草原食草动物，西部收获蚁， 种子资源。 研究范围从机械分析， 蚂蚁个体在原生种子斑块中的觅食行为， 测量蜂群组织的各个方面和 资源利用。 基于行为和基于资源的整合 方法将提高我们对相互作用的理解， 广泛分布于干旱环境中。