Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of range limits in the scarlet monkeyflower

虽然有些物种广泛分布在各大洲，而另一些物种只在少数几个地方发现，但地球上的每个物种都有一个由范围边界限制的地理分布。对于大多数物种来说，引起范围界限的生态和进化因素仍然知之甚少，但它们与理解气候变化的潜在生物反应直接相关。范围边界被假设为由栖息地适宜性，扩散和基因流（种群之间的个体及其基因的运动）和人口统计学（个体表现和种群增长方面）的空间变化的综合作用。根据这些因素的相对平衡，范围边缘可能代表物种未能适应特定气候条件的稳定地区，也可能代表气候变化情况下范围转移的前沿地区。在这项研究中，限制在北美西部的猩红monkeyflower（Mimulus cardinalis）的地理范围的因素将进行调查，使用实地调查，人口建模和人口遗传分析。目的是了解栖息地适宜性、基因流和人口统计学的空间变化如何产生稳定或短暂的范围边界。与约塞米蒂国家公园的现有伙伴关系将用于加强对这项研究结果的公众传播。一名教育护林员将介绍国家公园气候变化的生物影响。作为该项目的一部分，将培训一名博士后研究员、一名女博士生和一名少数民族大学生。本科生将参加科罗拉多州立大学的暑期项目，通过独立项目和专业发展研讨会增强本科生的研究经验。

Although some species range widely across continents while others are found in only a handful of locations, every species on earth has a geographic distribution that is circumscribed by range boundaries. The ecological and evolutionary factors that give rise to range boundaries remain poorly understood for most species, yet they are of direct relevance for understanding potential biological responses to climate change. Range boundaries are hypothesized to be set by the combined action of spatial variation in habitat suitability, dispersal and gene flow (the movement of individuals and their genes between populations), and demography (aspects of individual performance and population growth). Depending on the relative balance of these factors, range margins may represent stable areas where species have failed to adapt to particular climatic conditions, or they may represent areas that are the forefront of range shifts under changing climatic regimes. In this study, factors that limit the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis) in western North America will be investigated using field surveys, population modeling, and population genetic assays. The goal is to understand how spatial variation in habitat suitability, gene flow and demography give rise to stable or transient range boundaries. An existing partnership with Yosemite National Park will be used to enhance public dissemination of results of this research. An education ranger will present information on the biological effects of climate change in national parks. A postdoctoral researcher, a female doctoral student, and a minority undergraduate will be trained as part of this project. Undergraduates will participate in a summer program at Colorado State University that enhances the undergraduate research experience through independent projects and professional development seminars.