DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogeny, biogeography, and population genetics of Scirpus (Cyperaceae)

在这个快速气候变化的时代，了解促进我们植物区系多样性和分布的进化和生态过程对于有效的保护战略至关重要。利用最先进的DNA测序技术，本研究调查了莎草科(莎草科)湿地物种中一类具有重要生态意义的芦荟的进化，并利用这一历史背景来预测不同范围的物种如何对气候变化做出不同的反应。在这个进化框架内，这项研究识别了两种濒危的、分布狭窄的芦荟，并将它们与最接近的广泛分布的近亲进行比较，量化了它们种群中存在的遗传多样性，并对它们对预测的气候制度的反应进行了建模。气候变化几十年来一直是一个威胁，但有效的缓解策略仍处于萌芽阶段。由于分配给保护的资源有限，因此必须优先保护那些面临最大风险的物种。利用这项研究提供的进化背景，这项研究以芦荟为例，以确定在未来气候条件下，范围狭窄的物种是否比广泛分布的物种天生更有灭绝的风险。这项研究的结果将确定物种的范围是否可以有效地替代灭绝风险，从而能够在濒危物种变得稀有之前识别它们，并最终提供一种预测性和预防性的保护方法，而不是被动的。

An understanding of the evolutionary and ecological processes that have contributed to the diversity and distribution of our flora is critical for effective conservation strategies in this era of rapid climate change. Utilizing state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technologies, this research investigates the evolution of the bulrushes, an ecologically important group of wetland species in the sedge family (Cyperaceae), and utilizes this historical context to predict how species with disparate ranges may differentially respond to climate change. Within this evolutionary framework, this study identifies two endangered, narrowly distributed bulrushes and compares them to their most closely related widespread relatives, quantifying the genetic diversity present within their populations and modeling their responses to predicted climatic regimes.Climate change has been a threat for decades, yet effective mitigation strategies are still nascent. As resources allocated to conservation are limited, it is essential to prioritize by protecting those species most at risk. Using the evolutionary context afforded by this study, this research utilizes the bulrushes as a case study in order to determine if species with narrow ranges are inherently more at risk of extinction under future climates than widespread species. The results of this study will determine whether the range of a species is a useful proxy for extinction risk, thereby allowing for the identification of at-risk species before they become rare and ultimately informing a predictive and preventative, rather than reactive, approach to conservation.