Impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on plant species diversity in fragmented landscapes

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The current biological diversity crisis has encouraged research on the impact of transformed landscapes on local species diversity. Among others, habitat loss and fragmentation have been shown to modify species diversity of isolated ecosystems and to promote exotic species invasions. Spatial components of landscape configuration have been successfully associated with modified species diversity in these fragmented habitats. However, present-day species diversity could better reflect historical landscape configuration, which could imply further changes in species composition of isolated habitats without additional habitat loss or fragmentation. Both spatial and temporal scales should be used to predict the real impact of habitat loss on local species diversity. Exotic species have also been identified as a causing agent in native species decline. However, studies on exotic species have mostly focused on correlations and empirical evidences of the real impact of exotic species are still weak. The long term objective of my research program is to contribute to the development of general ecological theories predicting the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on species diversity in fragmented landscapes. My research is focused on wetlands and intends 1) to measure the impact of present and past landscape configuration on wetland vegetation and 2) to assess experimentally the causal link between disturbances, exotic invasion, and native species decline in wetlands. This research program addresses crucial questions at the frontier between plant ecology and ecosystem management. In a world of declining biodiversity, addressing how plant diversity is influenced by both regional and local processes is of critical concern.