Collaborative Research: Landscape Genetic Connectivity of a Foundation Tree Species: Implications for Dependent Communities Facing Climate Change and Exotic Species Invasion

今天研究的一个重要课题是温度如何影响地球上生命的多样性。在气候迅速变化的同时，高度入侵的外来物种也在迅速扩张，这些物种取代了本土物种，进一步威胁到了生物多样性。这些综合影响给土地管理者带来了巨大的挑战，因为它们可能会威胁到现有的生态系统，并破坏它们为人类提供的服务。应对这一挑战的一种方法是研究对所谓基础物种的影响。这项研究的重点是弗里蒙特白杨，这是一种基础树种，在美国西南部的溪流中创造了独特的栖息地。这些栖息地支持微生物、昆虫和动物的高度多样性，但受到气候变化以及一种主要入侵树种罗望子的威胁，罗望子取代了当地的棉杨，极大地改变了栖息地和它提供的有益的生态系统服务。该项目使用基因组技术，外加涉及在一系列地区种植相同树种的实验，以及计算机建模来确定沿溪流的棉杨之间的基因流动，弄清楚棉杨如何与罗望子相互作用，并确定罗望子入侵如何改变这些栖息地的所有植物及其提供的服务。随着环境条件的变化，基础物种必须要么适应，要么灭绝。以弗里蒙特白杨树为基础的溪边栖息地的丧失是重要的，因为它们是生物多样性的热点，并为该地区的当地人类人口提供服务。这个项目可能会改变我们对基础物种的看法，以及它们对重大干扰的反应方式，以及它们庇护的其他植物、动物和昆虫。这对保护规划很有用。该项目将为小学和高中教师提供教案和教材，并为本科生和研究生提供机会。它还将扩大对公众的宣传，了解如何应对气候变化和入侵物种的影响。现场实验将与西南实验园阵列合作安装，该阵列的重点是利用遗传学来应对气候变化的影响。结果还将在一个公共宣传网站上公布。

An important topic of research today is how temperature affects the diversity of life on earth. At the same time as the climate is rapidly changing though, there is also rapid expansion of highly invasive, exotic species that additionally threaten biodiversity by displacing native species. The combined effects present an enormous challenge to land managers, as they may threaten established ecosystems and undermine the services they provide to humans. One way to meet this challenge is to study the effects on what are called foundation species. This study focuses on Fremont cottonwood, a foundation tree species that creates unique habitats along streams in the southwestern United States. These habitats support a high diversity of microbes, insects and animals, but are threatened by climate change along with a major invasive tree species, tamarisk, that displaces the native cottonwood and drastically alters the habitat and the beneficial ecosystem services it provides. The project uses genomic techniques, plus experiments that involve planting the same tree species in a range of areas, and computer modeling to determine gene flow among the cottonwoods along streams, to figure out how the cottonwood interacts with tamarisk, and to determine how tamarisk invasion changes all of the plants in these habitats and the services they provide. As environmental conditions change, foundation species must either adapt or go extinct. The loss of streamside habitats that are based on Fremont cottonwood is important because they are hotspots of biodiversity and provide services to local human populations in the region. This project may transform how we think of foundation species and how they respond to major disturbances, along with the other plants, animals and insects they harbor. This is useful for conservation planning. The project will provide lesson plans and teaching materials for elementary and high school teachers and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. It will also expand outreach to the public on how to approach the impacts of climate change and invasive species. The field experiments will be installed in collaboration with the Southwest Experimental Garden Array, which is focused on using genetics to address climate change impacts. The results will also be made available on a public outreach website.