Collaborative Research: Effects of Corridors and Edges on Plant Populations

合作研究：走廊和边缘对植物种群的影响

• 批准号: 0613975
• 负责人: Joshua Tewksbury
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-10-01 至 2010-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0613975&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Effects; Corridors; Edges

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.

栖息地丧失和破碎化是物种灭绝的主要原因。走廊的建设，狭窄的栖息地连接同一栖息地的孤立斑块，是克服破碎化负面影响的公认方法。这些走廊允许生物体在种群之间移动，并为殖民者提供了种群已局部灭绝的栖息地。尽管许多研究为走廊的这些功能提供了强有力的支持，但许多其他研究却没有。因此，一个关键的挑战仍然是预测哪些物种将受到连通性的影响最大或最小。该项目将开发一个连接对植物影响的预测框架。该框架将得到广泛应用，因为它基于简单的生活史特征、授粉模式和种子传播——几乎所有维管植物都具有的特征。将使用六种具有恢复兴趣的罕见物种来测试两个空间尺度的预测框架：（1）高度控制和复制的景观，由带或不带走廊的 1 公顷斑块组成，以及（2）由经营性林业实践创建的一百个林分（数十公顷）。第二个关键的智力贡献是将边缘效应纳入连通性研究。这项研究的更广泛意义有四个方面。首先，它将整合小学生到研究生的研究和教育。该项目与一个组织合作，该组织在向来自贫困家庭的儿童（3-12 年级）介绍研究地点的实践性、实地环境课程方面拥有良好的记录。该项目严重依赖本科生实习生进行数据收集，并为其中许多人提供独立的研究项目。研究生也将接受培训。其次，该研究为女性和少数族裔提供专业指导，将大力招募她们参与该项目。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独特的合作关系。 最后，研究结果与保护和管理相关。通过明确关注美国林务局在物种丰富且日益稀缺的生态系统（长叶松稀树草原）中恢复关注的物种，这项研究的结果可能会立即适用。