Dissertation Research: Experimental Analysis of Patch Dynamics in Tallgrass Prairie Vegetation

北美高草草原主要由一个小的 大量的基质形成草，在它们之间发现了大量的 数量较少的间隙物种。 分布 这些物种受干扰状况和土壤的影响 可变性，导致了一个补丁马赛克。 补丁，如定义 在高草草原上， 在堪萨斯和俄克拉荷马州，内部和之间的变化是不可预测的 生长季节 形成基质的物种对 这些补丁的不可预测的变化将被测试 实验性的 一种形成基质的物种， 从五个10 x10平方米的学习区的一半拆除，留下 剩下的一半作为对照。 每个区块中的贴片结构将 从每平方米的覆盖数据进行分析。 样品 将在生长季节进行三次。 如果矩阵- 形成物种殖民的空间，斑块组成， 空间结构不会改变。 如果间隙物质 已经占据了补丁类型的殖民空间，补丁 结构和空间格局将发生变化。 站点间 通过将治疗方法应用于东部地区， 堪萨斯。 这项研究将有助于了解 不可预测的，时空上的间隙成分 高草草原的动态

North American tallgrass prairie is dominated by a small number of matrix-forming grasses, between which are found a large number of less abundant interstitial species. Distributions of these species are influenced by disturbance regime and soil variability, resulting in a patchy mosaic. Patches, as defined by interstitial species, have been defined in tallgrass prairies in Kansas and Oklahoma, and vary unpredictably within and between growing seasons. The importance of matrix-forming species on the unpredictable variability of these patches will be tested experimentally. Schizachyrium scoparium, a matrix-forming species, will be removed form half of five 10x10 m2 study blocks, leaving the remaining halves as controls. Patch structure in each block will be analyzed from cover data form each square meter. Samples will be taken three times over the growing season. If a matrix- forming species colonizes the space, patch composition and spatial structure will not change. If interstitial species already occupying the patch type colonize the space, patch composition and spatial structure will change. Inter-site comparisons will be possible by applying treatments to eastern Kansas. This study will aid in understanding effects of unpredictable, Interstitial components on spatial-temporal dynamics in tallgrass prairies.