Collaborative Research: Effects of Corridors and Edges on Plant Populations

栖息地的丧失和破碎化是物种灭绝的主要原因。建造廊道是一种公认的克服碎片化负面影响的方法，这种狭窄的栖息地带连接着原本孤立的同一栖息地斑块。这些走廊允许生物在种群之间移动，并为种群已经局部灭绝的栖息地提供殖民者。尽管许多研究对走廊的这些功能提供了强有力的支持，但也有许多研究没有提供有力的支持。因此，一个关键的挑战仍然存在，即预测哪些物种受连通性的影响最大，哪些影响最小。该项目将开发一个连接对植物影响的预测框架。该框架将被广泛应用，因为它基于简单的生活史特征、授粉模式和种子传播模式——几乎所有维管植物都具有的特征。在两个空间尺度上，研究人员将使用六种不常见的恢复物种来测试预测框架：(1)高度控制和复制的景观，包括有或没有走廊的1公顷斑块；(2)由林业业务实践创造的100个林分（数十公顷）。第二个关键的智力贡献将是将边缘效应纳入连通性研究。这项研究更广泛的意义有四方面。首先，它将把小学到研究生的研究和教育结合起来。该项目与一个组织合作，该组织在向贫困背景的儿童（3-12年级）介绍实地环境课程方面有着良好的记录。该项目在很大程度上依赖于本科生实习生的数据收集，并为他们中的许多人提供了独立的研究项目。研究生也将接受培训。第二，本研究为妇女和少数民族提供专业指导，将大力招募妇女和少数民族参与本项目。调查人员在这方面有着良好的记录。第三，这项研究代表了学术机构、美国国家科学基金会和美国林务局之间的独特伙伴关系。最后，研究结果与保护和管理都有关系。通过明确关注物种丰富、日益稀缺的生态系统（长叶松草原）中美国林务局关注的恢复物种，本研究的结果可能立即适用。

Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading causes of species extinction. The construction of corridors, narrow strips of habitat that connect otherwise isolated patches of the same habitat, is a recognized way to overcome the negative effects of fragmentation. These corridors allow for movement of organisms between populations and provide colonists to habitat patches in which populations have become locally extinct. Although many studies provide strong support for these functions of corridors, many others do not. A key challenge remains, then, to predict which species will be most or least affected by connectivity. This project will develop a predictive framework of connectivity effects on plants. The framework will be widely applicable because it is based on simple life history traits, modes of pollination and seed dispersal - characteristics shared by practically all vascular plants. Six uncommon species of restoration interest will be used to test the predictive framework at two spatial scales: (1) highly controlled and replicated landscapes consisting of 1-ha patches with and without corridors, and (2) one hundred forest stands (tens of hectares) created by operational forestry practices. A second key intellectual contribution will be the incorporation of edge effects into the study of connectivity. The broader significance of this study is four-fold. First, it will integrate research and education for elementary to graduate students. The project partners with an organization that has a proven track record of introducing children (grades 3-12) from underprivileged backgrounds to hands-on, field-based, environmental lessons at the study site. The project relies heavily on undergraduate interns for data collection and provides many of them with independent research projects. Graduate students will also be trained. Second, the research provides professional mentorship for women and minorities, who will be vigorously recruited to participate in the project. The investigators have a strong track record in this regard. Third, the study represents a unique partnership among academic institutions, the NSF, and the U.S. Forest Service. Finally, results from the study are relevant both to conservation and to management. By explicitly focusing on species of restoration concern to the U.S. Forest Service in a species-rich, and increasingly scarce ecosystem (longleaf pine savannah), the results of this study are likely to be immediately applicable.