Control of a native and introduced foundation species by marine and terrestrial enemies

概述：基础物种（如树木和珊瑚礁）的形态和结构受到栖息在其上的动物的强烈影响。由于基础物种构成了栖息地的整体结构，动物引起的变化会对生态系统的其他部分产生级联效应。红红树林是一种重要的基础物种，生长在陆地和海洋之间的过渡带；因此，它们受到一系列海洋和陆地食草动物和结构改变物种的影响。这些物种的破坏改变了红树林的生长和繁殖力，并导致了红树林呈现出复杂的结构。当一个基础物种在没有天敌（如食草动物、结构调节剂）的情况下引入时，它们可能会经历生长、繁殖力和存活率的提高。这种从敌人身上释放出来的行为可以解释为什么一些入侵者能在新的范围内成功入侵。红红树（Rhizophora mangle）是一个多世纪前从它们的原产地（加勒比海）引入夏威夷的。在这里，它们生长迅速，繁殖力强，几乎没有敌人控制它们。这些红树林将原生栖息地（如滩涂、池塘）转变为茂密的灌木丛，给夏威夷的生态系统带来了重大变化。在这项研究中，研究员将(1)量化不同海洋和陆地行会对重要基础物种的生长、繁殖力和结构的相对影响，(2)测试一个被广泛引用的成功入侵机制（敌人释放假说）。该项目将在红树林原生（加勒比）和引进（夏威夷群岛）的广泛地理范围内进行可操作和自然实验。提议的赞助者西莉亚·史密斯（夏威夷马诺阿大学）和马克·托尔金（史密森尼）将为该研究员提供补充训练和获得完成这个项目所需的后勤框架（例如史密森尼在佛罗里达、伯利兹和巴拿马的实地站）。智力价值：该项目的成果将拓宽对生境工程和草食如何改变基础物种和群落生态的理解，并揭示天敌在控制引进物种生长和结构方面的重要性。该项目将确定不同的多物种组合如何改变本地和引进范围内基础物种的结构。这项研究还将回答其他重要问题，如：陆地物种如何调节海洋物种栖息地的质量和数量？在决定过渡带基础物种的生长和结构方面，海洋物种和陆地物种的相对重要性是什么？最后，这项研究将测试成功生物入侵的重要机制。更广泛的影响：该项目将通过将学生直接纳入研究计划，扩大代表性不足群体学生的参与。来自不同背景的学生（夏威夷大学79.2%的非白种人后裔）将从该研究员教授的研讨会课程中接受研究培训。选定的学生将协助研究员进行国际研究旅行和在夏威夷参与数据收集。该研究员还将在夏威夷大学的前GK-12框架内工作，为K-6课程开发基于探究的课程。该研究员将通过在线资源（STRI生物信息学网站）、科学会议和学术出版物传播课程和研究成果。这个项目的结果将为引进物种的管理和恢复工作提供信息，揭示管理者可以在哪里投入害虫控制工作。

Overview: The morphology and structure of foundation species, such as trees and coral reefs, are strongly influenced by the animals that inhabit them. Since foundation species form the integral structure of habitats, changes caused by animals can elicit cascading effects to the rest of the ecosystem. Red mangroves are a critical foundation species that thrives in the ecotone between land and sea; thus, they are affected by a suite of marine and terrestrial herbivores and structure-modifying species. Damage by these species modifies growth and fecundity and is responsible for the complex architecture mangroves exhibit. When a foundation species is introduced without their natural enemies (such as herbivores, structure modifiers) they may experience enhanced growth, fecundity, and survivorship. This release from their enemies may explain why some invaders succeed in a new range. Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) were introduced to Hawaii from their native range (Caribbean) over a century ago. Here they exhibit rapid growth, high fecundity, and few enemies appear to control them. These mangroves convert native habitats (e.g. sand-flats, ponds) into dense thickets causing substantial changes to Hawaiian ecosystems. In this study, the fellow will (1) quantify the relative effects of different marine and terrestrial guilds in affecting growth, fecundity, and architecture of an important foundation species and (2) test a widely cited mechanism for successful invasions (Enemy Release Hypothesis). This project will use manipulative and natural experiments replicated across broad geographic ranges where mangroves are native (Caribbean) and introduced (Hawaiian Islands). The proposed sponsors, Celia Smith (University of Hawaii Manoa) and Mark Torchin (Smithsonian), will provide complementary training for the fellow and access to the logistical framework necessary to complete this project (e.g. Smithsonian field stations in Florida, Belize, and Panama). Intellectual Merit: Results from this project will broaden understanding of how habitat engineering and herbivory alters foundation species and community ecology and reveal the importance of natural enemies in controlling growth and architecture of introduced species. This project will determine how different multi-species assemblages alter the architecture of a foundation species between native and introduced ranges. This study will also answer other important questions such as: how do terrestrial species mediate habitat quality and quantity for marine species? And what is the relative importance of marine vs. terrestrial species in determining growth and architecture in foundation species in an ecotone? Finally, this study will test an important mechanism underpinning successful biological invasions. Broader Impacts: This project will broaden the participation of students from under-represented groups by integrating students directly in the research plan. Students of diverse backgrounds (79.2% non-Caucasian descent at University of Hawaii) will receive research training from seminar courses taught by the fellow. Select students will assist the fellow on international research trips and in Hawaii to participate in data collections. The fellow will also work within the former GK-12 framework of University of Hawaii to develop inquiry based curriculum for K-6 classes. The fellow will disseminate curriculum and research findings through online resources (STRI Bioinformatics website), scientific conferences, and through academic publications. Results from this project will inform management of introduced species and restoration efforts by revealing where managers could devote pest control efforts.