DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Indirect Regulation of Aboveground Ecological Processes by a Belowground Ecosystem Engineer

在影响生态系统的结构和功能方面，并非所有物种都是平等的。“生态系统工程师”是通过改变物理环境来调节资源流向其他物种的物种，但相对于其他生态过程，人们对它们如何做到这一点的确切了解仍然很少。该项目的重点是如何地下生态系统工程师（白蚁，属Odontotermes）调节地上生态过程的野生动物友好的商业养牛场在肯尼亚。通过野外和实验室实验，该项目将解决白蚁如何通过促进植物生长间接控制无脊椎动物和蜥蜴Lygodactylus keniensis的分布和数量（这是最常见的脊椎动物在这个栖息地）。了解物种之间的功能关系，在人类主导的，工作牧场对于长期保护生态系统的完整性和人类的企业，如养牛业，都很重要。在许多热带牧场，白蚁是生态学家所说的“基石”-它们对生态系统的影响是如此深远，以至于在维持生态系统健康方面至关重要。该项目研究了白蚁如何发挥其关键影响，并将为生态系统中的关键角色提供更全面的了解。此外，该项目还将为几名肯尼亚当地人提供全职就业机会，并通过一系列受欢迎的出版物和讲座，向当地社区和美国高中生提供非洲生态和管理方面的教育。

When it comes to influencing the structure and function of ecosystems, not all species are created equal. ''Ecosystem engineers'' are species that regulate resource flows to other species by modifying the physical environment, but precisely how they do this remains poorly understood relative to other ecological processes. This project focuses on how a subterranean ecosystem engineer (termites, genus Odontotermes) regulates aboveground ecological processes on a wildlife-friendly commercial cattle ranch in Kenya. Using field and laboratory experiments, the project will address how, by promoting plant growth, termites indirectly control the distribution and abundance of both invertebrates and the lizard Lygodactylus keniensis (which is the most common vertebrate in this habitat).Understanding functional relationships between species in human-dominated, working rangelands is important both for the long-term protection of ecosystem integrity and for human enterprises such as cattle ranching. In many tropical rangelands, termites are what ecologists call ''keystones''- their impact on the ecosystem is so profound as to be critical in maintaining ecosystem health. This project examines how termites exert their pivotal influence and will inform a more general understanding of keystone players in ecosystems. In addition, the project will provide full-time employment to several local Kenyans and educate both local communities and American high school students about African ecology and management via a series of popular publications and lectures.