DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The relative importance of species, genotype, and trait diversity on ecosystem function of the tall grass prairie under varying environmental conditions

面对前所未有的、人为的全球变化，如入侵物种的引入增加和土地利用的变化，了解生物多样性的重要性至关重要。这项研究由两个温室实验组成，将深入了解草原如何保持多样性，以及为什么这种多样性对生产力和抵御入侵等生态系统功能很重要。第一个实验将在遗传上截然不同的个体之间建立竞争，以了解优势原生牧草是如何保持多样性的。第二个实验将研究这种遗传多样性如何阻止不同的原生和入侵幼苗的建立。该项目的成果将有助于保护生物多样性，防止物种入侵，并加强草原的碳固存，草原是一个具有经济和生态价值的生态系统。结果还将纳入当地环境教育计划，以强调保护本土生态系统生物多样性的重要性。该项目将让本科生和代表性不足的高中生有机会亲身了解研究过程，使他们能够联系到关于日益严重的环境问题的科学研究。最后，资助这个项目将培养一位年轻的女科学家。

Understanding the importance of biological diversity is critical in the face of unprecedented, anthropogenic global change such as increased introduction of invasive species and land-use change. This research consists of two greenhouse experiments that will provide insight into how diversity is maintained in grasslands, and why this diversity could be important to ecosystem functions such as productivity and invasion resistance. The first experiment will establish competition among genetically distinct individuals to understand how diversity is maintained within a dominant native grass. The second experiment will examine how this genetic diversity prevents establishment of different native and invasive seedlings. Results from this project will inform the preservation of biodiversity, prevention of species invasions, and the enhancement of carbon sequestration in grasslands, an economically and ecologically valuable ecosystem. Results will also be integrated into local environmental education programs to emphasize the importance of preserving biodiversity in native ecosystems. The project will give undergraduate and underrepresented high school students access to hands-on learning about the research process, allowing them to connect scientific research on a growing environmental problem. Finally, funding this project will train a young female scientist.