The Role of Fish Introductions and Eradications on Community Assembly in Ponds

众所周知，将捕食者引入历史上没有捕食者的生态系统会极大地减少当地的生物多样性。然而，如果捕食者改变了群落聚集的机制，那么捕食者在更大空间范围内的影响可能与它们的局部影响有很大不同。这项研究将探讨在以前无鱼的淡水生境引入和根除捕食性鱼类如何影响群落聚集的格局以及由此产生的当地和区域生物多样性。首先，将建立一个实验池塘阵列，以测试不同空间尺度上鱼类引进和生物多样性之间的因果关系。第二，在公共机构和私人土地所有者的合作下，PIs将在实验上确定根除引入的鱼类是否成功地恢复了当地和区域的生物多样性，或者是否还需要其他干预措施。总体而言，该项目将促进对捕食者引入和根除如何在不同空间尺度上构建生物多样性的理解。此外，来自该项目的信息可能最终导致在大空间范围内恢复生物多样性的新做法，包括受保护的自然区域。除了通过吸收几名研究生和本科生为未来的科学家提供宝贵的培训外，这项研究还将与一项由密苏里州圣路易斯地区高中生深入研究经验组成的推广计划相结合。

It is well-known that the introduction of predators into ecosystems in which they were not historically present can dramatically reduce local biodiversity. Yet the effects of predators at larger spatial scales may differ substantially from their local effects if predators alter the mechanisms by which communities assemble. This study will explore how the introduction and eradication of fish predators in previously fish-free freshwater habitats affects patterns of community assembly and the resulting local and regional biodiversity. First, an experimental pond array will be constructed to test for the causal relationship between fish introductions and biodiversity at different spatial scales. Second, in cooperation with public agencies and private landowners, the PIs will experimentally determine if eradication of introduced fish successfully restores local and regional biodiversity, or whether other interventions are also needed.Overall, this project will advance the understanding of how predator introductions and eradications structure biodiversity at different spatial scales. Furthermore, information from this project may ultimately lead to new practices for restoring biodiversity at large spatial scales, including protected natural areas. In addition to providing invaluable training for future scientists by incorporating several graduate and undergraduate students, this research will be integrated with an outreach program consisting of in-depth research experiences for Saint Louis, Missouri, area high school students.