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

美国东南部的景观通常由定期洪水泛滥的洪泛平原和附近干燥的高地组成。出现在两个栖息地的植物物种可能包括专门针对一个环境的种群，或者在两个栖息地（广义）生长同样良好的植物，因为根据它们所经历的栖息地进行形态和生理调整。本研究探讨这两种替代品在本地蓝莓。洪泛平原和高地的植物将被移植到这两个栖息地，以确定它们是否在它们的“家”环境中生长得最好，或者在两个地方都表现得同样好。实地研究还将辅之以实验室实验。两种生境中植物之间通过传粉者或种子进行的遗传交换对特化或泛化的进化很重要。因此，研究人员将使用分子研究来测量遗传交换。这项研究将提供对植物如何广泛分布于不同环境或仅限于少数栖息地的理解。这些知识对于退化土地的恢复和保护是有价值的。专门化种群不会是恢复不同生境的良好植物来源。 此外，随着专业化，保护应针对保护种群免受所有栖息地的影响。

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.