CRB: Genetic and Environmental Influences on Blue Oak Response to Drought and Herbivory: Implications for the Conservation Biology of Keystone Woody Species

人们普遍认为遗传多样性对保护濒危物种很重要。不幸的是，对于大多数濒危物种，我们对生态相关性状（如耐旱性）的遗传变异如何有助于物种的生存知之甚少。这类信息尤其重要，因为它们为许多其他生物提供了栖息地。蓝橡树（Quercus douglasii）是加州一种受威胁的关键物种，目前在其大部分地理范围内都没有再生。蓝橡树林地是地球上生物多样性最丰富的生态系统之一，仅次于热带森林。因此，这种物种的消失以及它所创造的栖息地将导致生物多样性的严重减少。本研究将侧重于一系列田间试验，旨在研究形态和耐旱性的遗传变异如何影响蓝橡树幼苗和成材的生存和生长。我们希望能够鉴定出抗旱和有竞争力的橡树基因型，这些基因型可能是当前和未来恢复和维持这一极其重要物种的重要种质来源。//

It is commonly argued that genetic diversity is important for the conservation of a threatened species. Unfortunately, for most threatened species we know little about how genetic variation in ecologically relevant traits (e.g. drought tolerance) may contribute to the survival of a species. This kind of information is especially important because they provide habitat for many other organisms. Blue oak (Quercus douglasii), a threatened keystone species in California, is currently not regenerating throughout much of its geographic range. Blue oak woodlands are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, second only to tropical forests. As such, a loss of this species and thus the habitat it creates would result in a major reduction of biodiversity. This study will focus on a series of field experiments designed to examine how genetic variation in morphology and drought tolerance affects survival and growth in blue oak seedlings and adults. We hope to be able to identify drought resistant and competitive oak genotypes that may be important sources of germplasm for current and future efforts to restore and maintain this critically important species.//