Dissertation Research: Mechanisms of Plant Succession in Coastal Lake Michigan Sand Dunes

9310785 Tilman本研究将理论、观测、实验和古生态学方法相结合，对密歇根湖沿岸沙丘植物演替进行了全面和机械的研究。实验将区分沿复杂梯度限制植物物种分布和丰度的潜在环境约束。通过移栽试验，研究了水分胁迫、水分竞争、氮胁迫、氮竞争、光竞争、定植限制、沙埋和草食对6种优势种幼苗成活率的影响。从本研究中获得的知识将决定继任过程中各种约束和权衡的重要性。研究地点非常适合这项研究，并且试图解决几个环境因素的相对影响是这个项目的一个独特方面。＊＊＊

9310785 Tilman This study combines theory, observation, experiments, and paleoecology methods in a comprehensive and mechanistic investigation of plant succession in coastal Lake Michigan sand dunes. Experiments will distinguish among potential environmental constraints limiting the distribution and abundance of plant species along a complex gradient. The influence of water stress, competition for water, nitrogen stress, competition for nitrogen, competition for light, colonization constraints, sand burial, and herbivory on seedling survival will be tested for six dominant species in a seedling transplant experiment. %%% Knowledge derived from this research will determine the importance of various constraints and tradeoffs during succession. The study site is ideally suited for this research, and the attempt to address the relative effects of several environmental factors is a unique aspect of this project. ***