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

互惠，物种之间的相互作用，其中双方合作伙伴受益，在所有生态系统中发现。然而，互惠在空间和时间上的强度和持久性各不相同。这种变化提出了一个问题，为什么互惠在不同的条件下持续存在或消失。这位研究者专注于植物-真菌的相互作用，或菌根协会，作为互惠共生的模型。她的研究的总体目标是通过调查影响植物-真菌伙伴关系的成本和收益的因素来解决互惠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）描述菌根协会的分布和丰度模式; 2）量化支持菌根真菌的生理成本和效益; 3）确定影响这些伙伴关系的成本和效益的环境因素;和4）评估菌根状态变化的人口或社区水平的后果。植物与真菌的相互作用可能会影响植物对环境胁迫的反应以及外来物种入侵等过程，从而对植物群落产生重要影响。因此，这项研究将为本土植物群落的恢复和保护工作提供信息。通过她的研究，这名研究生还将通过为少数民族学生提供参与生态项目的机会，促进本科生参与科学。

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.