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

在所有生态系统中都存在互惠互利的现象，即物种之间的相互作用，双方都从中受益。然而，互惠的力量和持久力在空间和时间上有所不同。这种变化提出了一个问题，即为什么互惠关系在不同的条件下存在或消失。这位研究者专注于植物-真菌相互作用，或菌根联合，作为互惠共生的模型。她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，解决在哪里以及为什么发生互惠共生的问题。通过田间、温室和实验室项目，这项研究的目的是1)描述菌根联合的分布和丰度的模式；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的成本和收益的环境因素；以及4)评估菌根状态变化在种群或社区层面的后果。植物-真菌相互作用可能通过影响植物对环境胁迫的反应和外来物种入侵等过程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，这位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.