DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Friends in high places: Mycorrhizal associations in alpine communities

在所有的生态系统中，物种之间的相互作用都是互惠互利的。然而，相互关系的强度和持久性随时间和空间的变化而变化。这种差异提出了一个问题：为什么共生关系在不同的条件下会持续存在或消失？这位研究者专注于植物与真菌的相互作用，或菌根关联，作为互惠共生的一种模式。她研究的总体目标是通过调查影响植物-真菌伙伴关系成本和收益的因素，来解决互惠关系在哪里以及为什么发生的问题。通过田间、温室和实验室项目，本研究旨在1)描述菌根关联的分布和丰度模式；2)量化支持菌根真菌的生理成本和收益；3)确定影响这些伙伴关系成本和收益的环境因素；4)评估菌根状态变化对种群或社区水平的影响。植物-真菌相互作用通过影响植物对环境胁迫和外来物种入侵等过程的反应，可能对植物群落产生重要影响。因此，这项研究将为本地植物群落的恢复和保护工作提供信息。通过她的研究，该研究生还将为少数民族学生提供参与生态项目的机会，从而促进本科生对科学的参与。

Mutualisms, interactions between species in which both partners benefit, are found in all ecosystems. However, mutualisms vary in strength and persistence over space and time. This variation raises the question of why mutualisms persist or vanish under different conditions. This investigator focuses on plant-fungus interactions, or mycorrhizal associations, as a model of mutualism. The overall goal of her research is to address the question of where and why mutualisms occur, by investigating factors that influence the costs and benefits of plant-fungus partnerships. Through field, greenhouse, and laboratory projects this research aims to 1) describe patterns in the distribution and abundance of mycorrhizal associations; 2) quantify the physiological costs and benefits of supporting mycorrhizal fungi; 3) identify environmental factors that influence the costs and benefits of these partnerships; and 4) evaluate population- or community-level consequences of variation in mycorrhizal status. Plant-fungus interactions may have important consequences for plant communities through their effects on plant responses to environmental stress and processes such as invasions by exotic species. Consequently, this research will inform restoration and conservation efforts in native plant communities. Through her research, this graduate student will also facilitate undergraduate involvement in science by providing opportunities for minority students to participate in ecological projects.