DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of Plant Traits in a Spatially and Temporally Heterogeneous Landscape

美国东南部的地形通常由受周期性洪水影响的洪泛区和附近的干旱高地组成。出现在两种栖息地的植物物种可能由专门适应一种环境的种群组成，也可能由在两种栖息地生长同样良好的植物组成（广义），因为它们根据所经历的栖息地进行形态和生理调整。本研究考察了一种本地蓝莓中的这两种替代品。洪泛区和高地的植物将被移植到这两个栖息地，以确定它们是在“原生”环境中生长得最好，还是在两个地方都表现得一样好。实地研究也将得到实验室实验的补充。在两个生境中，植物之间通过传粉者或种子进行遗传交换，对特化或泛化的进化具有重要意义。因此，研究人员将使用分子研究来测量基因交换。这项研究将有助于了解植物是如何广泛分布在不同的环境中，还是局限于少数栖息地。这种知识对退化土地的恢复和保护是有价值的。专门的种群不会成为恢复不同生境的良好植物来源。此外，在专业化的情况下，保护应以保护所有生境的人口为目标。

Landscapes in Southeastern United States often consist of floodplains subject to periodic flooding and nearby drier uplands. Plant species that occur in both habitats may consist of populations that are specialized to one environment or plants that grow equally well in both habitats (generalized) because of adjustments in morphology and physiology according to the habitat they experience. This study examines these two alternatives in a native blueberry. Floodplain and upland plants will be transplanted into both habitats to determine whether they grow best in their "home" environment or perform equally well in both locations. The field studies will also be complemented by laboratory experiments. Genetic exchange between plants in both habitats through pollinators or seeds is important to the evolution of specialization or generalization. The investigators will therefore measure genetic exchange using molecular studies.This study will provide an understanding of how plants are broadly distributed across environments or limited to few habitats. This knowledge is valuable to restoration of degraded lands and to conservation. Specialized populations will not be a good source of plants for restoration of different habitats. Additionally, with specialization, conservation should be directed at protecting populations from all habitats.