DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Application of Resource Competition Theory to Invasive Species and Biological Control

摘要论文研究：资源竞争理论在入侵物种和生物控制中的应用CarsonDEB-0308788本研究将应用资源竞争理论来严格评估入侵植物物种取代广泛分布的优势植物物种的潜在机制。 它将专门测试的假设，入侵者是成功的，因为它可以胜过本地植物，通过入侵者的能力，耗尽共享的限制资源的水平（蒂尔曼的R* 理论）。 它还将测试的实际假设，生物控制剂将只有效，如果它阻止入侵者耗尽的关键限制资源（格罗弗的基石草食动物理论）。 这些理论将检查使用入侵的紫色金钱草，其主要的本地竞争对手，阔叶香蒲，和生物控制剂Galerucella calmariensis，一种食叶甲虫。 这项工作将涉及一个严格的，双重的实验方法，结合使用精心控制的中生态系统和现场操作。 先前的供资使得能够建立中型生态系统和实地实验，现已分别完成了第三个和第一个完整的实地季节。 该奖项将允许保持治疗并收集另外两个季节的响应数据，以实现竞争性排除，这是明确测试这些理论的关键响应。

AbstractDISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Application of Resource Competition Theory to Invasive Species and Biological ControlCarsonDEB-0308788This research will apply resource competition theory to rigorously evaluate the underlying mechanism that has allowed an invasive plant species to displace a widespread, dominant plant species. It will specifically test the hypothesis that an invader is successful because it can outcompete a native plant, via the invader's ability to deplete the level of the shared limiting resource (Tilman's R* theory). It will also test the practical hypothesis that a biological control agent will only be effective if it prevents the invader from depleting the key limiting resource (Grover's keystone herbivory theory). These theories will be examined using the invasive purple loosestrife, its primary native competitor, broad-leaved cattail, and the biocontrol agent Galerucella calmariensis, a leaf-feeding beetle. The work will involve a rigorous, dual experimental approach that combines the use of carefully controlled mesocosms and in situ field manipulations. Prior funding has allowed the establishment of both the mesocosm and field experiments, which have now completed their third and first full field season, respectively. This award will allow the treatments to be maintained and the collection of response data for two additional field seasons, to achieve competitive exclusion, which is the critical response to definitively test these theories.