Diversity and resilience of plant communities in isolated ecosystems

在世界许多地方，生态系统的破坏和破碎已达到如此高的比例，剩下的植物群落被限制在一个人类化的栖息地矩阵。这一基质的组成、结构和景观动态对其余生态系统的多样性和动态有很大影响。 我的研究计划的长期目标是增加我们对影响植物群落在人性化栖息地矩阵中的恢复力的过程的理解。最终，这项研究将为减轻环境变化对生态系统的直接和间接影响的战略提供信息。 我的短期目标是1）评估树木侵占对湿地组成，多样性和恢复力的影响，2）调查城市化和生物同质化之间的关系。为实现前两个目标而开展的项目还将使以下方面成为可能：3）确定哪些过程和组件负责社区组装和β多样性变化。 沼泽孤立在农业景观以及城市森林和空置的草本地段将作为研究模型。为了确定多样性和组成的变化，我的团队将主要使用重新定位方法（重访30-40年前的采样点）和空间时间替代方法。这种历史方法使变化的驱动因素和环境响应之间建立了强有力的联系，因为植物对景观改造的反应往往滞后。 我的计划提供了一个独特的机会，以提高我们的生态过程和机制，管理生态系统的动态和组成的知识。这方面的知识是必不可少的，最终能够促进生态系统的弹性，面对日益增长的人为压力，并改善生态系统的保护和可持续管理方案，特别是那些具体的湿地和城市生态系统。 多亏了我的项目，许多HQP将有机会在统计学，植物生物学和保护方面发展非常有价值的技能。硕士生将获得必要的技能和知识，以追求社区生态学博士研究，如果他们希望或装备他们先进的生物学相关的就业。博士生将拥有负责社区组装过程的先进知识，并将为研究生涯做好准备。

In many parts of the world, the destruction and fragmentation of ecosystems have reached such a high proportion that remaining plant communities are constrained within a matrix of humanized habitats. The composition, structure and landscape dynamics of this matrix exert a strong influence on the diversity and dynamics of remaining ecosystems. The long-term objective of my research program is to increase our understanding of the processes that influence the resilience of plant communities constrained within a matrix of humanized habitats. Ultimately, this research will inform strategies for mitigating the direct and indirect impacts of environmental changes on ecosystems. My short-term goals are to 1) evaluate the effect of tree encroachment on wetland composition, diversity and resilience and 2) investigate the relationship between urbanization and biotic homogenization. The projects carried out to achieve these first two objectives will also make it possible to 3) identify which processes and components are responsible for community assembly and beta diversity changes. Bogs isolated in agricultural landscapes as well as urban forests and vacant herbaceous lots will serve as study models. To identify changes in diversity and composition, my team will primarily use a resampling approach (revisiting plots sampled 30-40 years ago) and a space-for-time substitution methodology. Such a historical approach enables robust links between the drivers of change and environmental response to be made, as plants often have a time-lagged response to landscape modifications. My program offers a unique opportunity to improve our knowledge of the ecological processes and mechanisms that govern ecosystem dynamics and composition. This knowledge is essential to eventually be able to foster ecosystem resilience in face of growing human-induced pressures and to improve programs for the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems, especially those specific to wetlands and urban ecosystems. Thanks to my program, many HQP will have the opportunity to develop highly valuable skills in statistics, plant biology and conservation. MSc students will all acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue doctoral studies in community ecology if they wish or equip them for advanced biology-related employment. PhD students will come to possess advanced knowledge on the processes responsible for community assembly and will be well positioned for a research career.