EAPSI: Biogeography of Invasive Tree Islands and their Ectomycorrhizal Mutualists

入侵物种是一个全球关注的问题，在世界范围内造成巨大的环境和经济损失，国际伙伴关系对于研究和有效管理入侵物种至关重要。菌根是植物根系和真菌之间普遍存在的共生关系，对两种生物都有利。菌根真菌在确定入侵物种的潜在范围方面可能是至关重要的。虽然对菌根的地理分布模式知之甚少，但对确定入侵成功的机制可能很重要。Lodgepole松是一种专性菌根性和经济上重要的木材作物，原产于北美西部，是南半球大部分地区的重要入侵物种。该项目将对北美西部本土和新西兰入侵范围进行平行分析，以深入了解入侵的黑松及其真菌共生菌的起源、扩散和分布模式。这项研究将与林肯大学的著名入侵生态学专家Ian Dickie博士及其合作伙伴生物保护研究中心合作进行，该中心在新西兰？入侵管理程序。缺乏相容的菌根被认为是黑松（Pinus contorta）入侵的实质性障碍，黑松是南半球大部分地区的一种专门的外生菌根（ECM）入侵。与黑松相关的ECM群落的扩散和分布模式可能对确定这种入侵者的潜在范围很重要，并且可以通过岛屿生物地理学理论进行预测。研究目标是：(1)比较北美西部原生和新西兰入侵范围内与黑松相关的ECM群落；(2)确定岛屿生物地理学理论是否能够描述ECM的扩散和分布模式；(3)确定构成这些ECM群落的时空和环境梯度；(4)预测未来植物入侵的后果。该奖项由美国国家科学基金会和新西兰皇家学会共同资助，隶属于东亚和太平洋暑期研究所项目，支持一名美国研究生进行暑期研究。

Invasive species are a global concern, causing substantial environmental and economic losses worldwide, and international partnerships are critical for the research and effective management of invaders. Mycorrhizae are a ubiquitous symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungus that is mutually beneficial to both organisms. Mycorrhizal fungi are likely critical in determining the potential range of an invasive species. The geographic distribution patterns of mycorrhizae, while poorly understood, could be important in determining the mechanisms of invasive success. Lodgepole pine, an obligately mycorrhizal and economically important timber crop, is native to western North America and a significant invasive species in much of the southern hemisphere. This project will implement parallel analyses between the western North America native and New Zealand invaded ranges to provide insight into the origin, dispersal, and distribution patterns of invasive lodgepole pines and their fungal mutualists. This research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ian Dickie, a noted expert in invasion ecology, at Lincoln University and its partner the Bio-Protection Research Center, which have been influential in the research and implementation of New Zealand?s invasion management programs. The absence of compatible mycorrhizae is thought to be a substantial barrier to invasion for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), an obligately ectomycorrhizal (ECM) invasive in much of the southern hemisphere. The dispersal and distribution patterns of lodgepole pine-associated ECM communities are likely important in determining the potential range of this invader, and may be predicted by Island Biogeography Theory. The research objectives are to (1) compare ECM communities associated with lodgepole pine in the western North America native and New Zealand invaded ranges; (2) determine whether Island Biogeography Theory can describe ECM dispersal and distribution patterns; (3) determine the spatiotemporal and environmental gradients structuring these ECM communities; and (4) predict the consequences for future plant invasions.This award under the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes program supports summer research by a U.S. graduate student and is jointly funded by NSF and the Royal Society of New Zealand.