Dissertation Research: Tempo and Mode in Adaptation to Climate: Insights from the Phylogeny and Phylogeography of the Plant Genus Dodecatheon (Primulaceae)

全球变暖对生物多样性构成严重威胁。如果个体无法适应突然变暖，则可能有三种反应：迁移、局部适应或灭绝。了解人口对历史气候变化的反应可以改善我们对未来的预测。北美植物十二星属提供了一个理想的研究体系。一些罕见的十二爪龙物种是零星的，寒冷的栖息地特有的，被认为是冰川遗迹。其他种类分布广泛，在栖息地和形态上各不相同。测试这一群体的地理、性状和遗传亲缘关系之间的关联的相对强度，将表明这些物种是通过迁徙还是通过快速的局部适应来应对历史气候变化的。该项目具有应用和基础科学的重要性，对社会具有更广泛的影响。研究结果可以帮助预测美国23个州和加拿大2个省的6种保护物种的灭绝风险。所开发的方法可以为了解气候如何影响植物的多样性和分布提供基本的见解。该项目的实施将通过为少数民族学生提供研究机会和为城市高中开发课堂演示，进一步努力培养下一代多样化的科学家。

Global warming poses a serious threat to biodiversity. If individuals cannotadjust to sudden warming, three responses are possible: migration, localadaptation or extinction. Understanding how populations have responded tohistorical climate change can improve our predictions for the future. The NorthAmerican plant genus Dodecatheon provides an ideal study system. Several rareDodecatheon species that are endemic to patchy, cool habitats are consideredglacial relicts. Other species are widespread and vary in both habitat andmorphology. Testing the relative strength of the associations betweengeography, traits and genetic relatedness in the group will indicate whetherthese species have responded to historical climate change by migrating or byrapid local adaptation. This project has both applied and basic scientific importance with broaderimpacts for society. The results can help predict extinction risk for six taxawhich have conservation status in 23 US States and two Canadian provinces. Theapproach developed can provide basic insight into how climate influences thediversity and distribution of plants. The implementation of the project willfurther efforts to train the next generation of diverse scientists byproviding research opportunities to minority students and by developingclassroom presentations for urban high schools.