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它们的生态系统会大大减少当地的生物多样性。然而，在更大的空间尺度上的捕食者的影响可能会有很大的不同，从他们的本地影响，如果捕食者改变的机制，社区组装。这项研究将探讨在以前无鱼的淡水生境中引进和消灭鱼类捕食者如何影响社区聚集的模式以及由此产生的地方和区域生物多样性。首先，将构建一个实验池塘阵列，以测试在不同的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，PI将通过实验来确定是否消灭引入的鱼类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消灭如何在不同空间尺度上构建生物多样性的理解。此外，该项目提供的信息可能最终导致在大的空间尺度上恢复生物多样性的新做法，包括自然保护区。除了通过纳入几个研究生和本科生为未来的科学家提供宝贵的培训，这项研究将与一个外展计划，包括深入的研究经验，为圣刘易斯，密苏里州，地区高中学生整合。

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.