DISSERTATION RESEARCH: When edges meet: Interacting edge effects in an African savanna

生态边缘是相邻环境（如森林和田野）之间的过渡地带。植物、动物和其他实体对边缘的反应强烈，而且这些反应不是静态的。事实上，对给定边缘的响应可能会发生巨大变化，这取决于附近的环境以及这些环境在空间中的配置方式。特别是，响应可以被附近其他边的存在和配置所改变。在世界范围内，人为生境破碎化的增加激发了对边缘相互作用的更好理解。随着景观变得更加碎片化或斑驳，边缘变得更加紧密，边缘的相互作用变得更加重要。因此，本研究将侧重于理解边缘相互作用及其对破碎景观管理的影响。本研究位于肯尼亚热带草原生态系统中，牲畜与丰富多样的野生动物共存。新的牲畜管理措施增加了这片热带稀树草原的斑块性。本研究将利用大规模的可操作实验，探讨在日益斑块化的景观中，边缘相互作用的普遍性、原因和后果（对植物、野生动物和牲畜）。研究结果将提供对模型系统中边缘相互作用的综合理解，并将改善全球破碎景观的保护、恢复和管理工作。在当地，调查结果将通过通讯出版物、演讲、研讨会和在线论坛与管理人员和社区成员进行讨论。这项研究还将涉及三名肯尼亚实地助理、一名肯尼亚硕士生和当地小学生的教育。

Ecological edges are transition zones between adjacent environments (e.g., forest and field). Plants, animals and other entities respond strongly to edges, and these responses are not static. In fact, responses to a given edge can change dramatically depending on what environments are nearby, and how these environments are configured in space. In particular, responses can be altered by the presence and configuration of other, nearby edges. Worldwide increases in anthropogenic habitat fragmentation motivate an improved understanding of edge interactions. As landscapes become more fragmented or patchy, edges become more tightly packed, and edge interactions become more important. This research will therefore focus on understanding edge interactions and their implications for the management of fragmented landscapes. This research is located in a Kenyan savanna ecosystem, where livestock coexist with diverse and abundant wildlife. New livestock management practices are increasing the patchiness of this working savanna. Using large-scale manipulative experiments, this study will investigate the prevalence, causes, and consequences (for plants, wildlife and livestock) of edge interactions in the increasingly patchy landscape. Results will provide an integrated understanding of edge interactions in a model system, and will improve conservation, restoration and management efforts in fragmented landscapes worldwide. Locally, findings will be discussed with managers and community members via newsletter publications, presentations, workshops, and an online forum. This study will also involve the education of three Kenyan field assistants, a Kenyan Masters student, and local elementary school students.