Diversity Maintenance in Multi-trophic Communities: The Role of Multiple Coexistence Mechanisms

生态学家越来越认识到，个体机制经常协同行动（和相互作用）。这项研究将采用一种强有力的方法来评估各种机制的作用，无论是单独的还是组合的，允许多个物种共存。该研究系统由小丑虫的两种专门的拟寄生虫（攻击卵的寄生昆虫）组成。他们将实验室和实地实验与理论建模相结合的方法将为评估影响物种共存的多种机制提供一种手段。需要评估的因素包括资源变异性、时间变化、物种发育速率、资源利用、物种相互作用（如竞争和捕食）以及时间避难所的作用。将开发一个模型来评估涉及物种共存的机制，产生新的预测，并推广到其他系统。这项研究的结果将为现实世界的生物控制模型提供信息，并为我们对维持生物多样性的机制的理解提供见解。该项目包括培养本科生、研究生和博士后，用定量和实验的方法来研究生态学。整合理论和数据的能力是下一代科学家的关键技能，他们将解决国家面临的重要生态和环境问题。拟议的研究将向处于不同职业阶段的年轻研究人员提供这种培训，强调妇女和其他代表性不足的群体的大力参与。

Ecologists increasingly recognize that individual mechanisms often act (and interact) in concert. This research will employ a powerful approach to evaluate the roles of various mechanisms, both individually and in combination, that allow multiple species to coexist. The study system consists of two specialist parasitoids (parasitic insects that attack eggs) of the harlequin bug. Their approach of integrating laboratory and field experiments with theoretical modeling will provide a means for evaluating multiple mechanisms that influence species coexistence. The factors to be evaluated include variability in resources, temporal variation, developmental rates of species, resource use, species interactions such as competition and predation, and the role of temporal refugia. A model will be developed to assess the mechanisms involved in species coexistence, to generate new predictions, and to generalize to other systems. The results of this research will inform real-world models of biological control and provide insight into our understanding of the mechanisms that maintain biodiversity. The project involves training undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral associates in quantitative and experimental approaches to studying ecology. The ability to integrate theory and data is a crucial skill for the next generation of scientists who will tackle the important ecological and environmental issues that confront the nation. The proposed research will provide this training to young researchers at various career stages, emphasizing strong participation by women and other underrepresented groups.