DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Miconia affinis in a tropical forest and coffee landscape mosaic: the population genetics of a buzz-pollinated understory tree

尽管采取了保护措施，但热带森林仍面临退耕还林，威胁着许多热带树木，尤其是那些依赖特殊授粉者繁殖的树木。这项拟议的研究调查了一种“嗡嗡授粉”树种的花粉传播模式。蜂鸣授粉发生时，蜜蜂抓住一朵花，使花粉振动，没有特殊的毛孔。由于这一机制排除了外来蜜蜂传播花粉的可能性，追踪花粉运动将产生一个独特而有力的本地蜜蜂运动指示器。将在未受干扰的生境和高度分散的树荫咖啡种植园生境中研究当地动物群生物多样性和植物基因流模式，并将提供对树荫咖啡农场作为生物多样性避难所和生境走廊的能力的机械性洞察。随着农业面积的不断扩大，了解土地管理对传粉者群落和花粉传播过程的影响至关重要。通过关注国际合作，这项研究加强了美国和墨西哥科学家、学生和管理者之间的了解，以便在热带森林和可持续农业生态系统的研究中建立当地和国际领先地位。到目前为止，这项研究提供了与咖啡种植者就土地管理、授粉服务和农场内的侵蚀控制进行交流的机会。随着森林砍伐的继续，了解如何维持热带植物和传粉者群落所需的关键生态过程是至关重要的。

Despite efforts at conservation, tropical forests continue to face land conversion, threatening many tropical trees, especially those that are dependent on specialized pollinators for reproduction. The proposed research investigates pollen dispersal patterns for a "buzz-pollinated" tree species. Buzz-pollination occurs when bees grasp a flower and vibrate pollen free of specialized pores. Because this mechanism excludes pollen dispersal by exotic honeybees, tracking pollen movement will yield a uniquely powerful indicator of native bee movement. Native faunal biodiversity and plant gene flow patterns will be examined in undisturbed habitats and in highly fragmented shade coffee plantation habitats and will provide mechanistic insight into the capacity of shade coffee farms to serve as biodiversity refuges and habitat corridors. As agricultural areas continue to expand, it is critical that the impacts of land management on pollinator communities and pollen dispersal processes are understood. By focusing on international collaboration, this research strengthens understanding between scientists, students, and managers in the United States and Mexico in order to build local and international leadership in the study of tropical forests and sustainable agroecosystems. Thus far, this research has provided the opportunity to communicate with coffee farmers about land management, pollination services and erosion control within their farms. As deforestation continues, it is essential to understand how to maintain key ecological processes required by tropical plant and pollinator communities.