U.S.-Georgia: Ecological Facilitation by Rhododendron Caucasicum Extends the Betula Litwinowii Alpine Treeline, Caucasus Mountains of Georgia

这一国际博士论文增强项目将为一名美国研究生和一名本科生研究助理提供在乔治亚共和国工作的机会。他们研究的总体重点是决定观测到的林木海拔上限的环境因素。主要研究人员是来自维克森林大学的威廉·K·史密斯和来自佐治亚州第比利斯植物学研究所的玛娅·阿哈尔卡茨基。以前对维持树线的生态或生理因素的研究大多集中在较老的树苗或成熟的树木上。最近的研究表明，到目前为止，新长出的幼苗可能在所有生命阶段中遭受最大的死亡。高山植物一直受到佐治亚州植物学研究所的特别关注，因为这个国家以山区为主。植物学研究所生态系最近重新定位，强调极端环境中植物的生殖生态。这项研究特别关注与高加索山脉高加索山脉的高加索杜鹃有关或不与高加索杜鹃有关的白桦幼苗的建立。这项环境生物学项目将为美国研究生和本科生提供独特的研究专业，这些专业在美国是没有的--因为大多数关于林线问题的研究起源于欧洲和欧亚大陆。该项目还实现了将美国、中欧和欧亚大陆的顶尖专家聚集在一起，在平等、互惠和互利的基础上，在共同利益和能力强的领域结合互补努力和能力的计划目标。

This international doctoral dissertation enhancement project will provide a U.S. graduate student and an undergraduate research assistant an opportunity to work in the Republic of Georgia. The general focus of their research is on environmental factors determining the upper elevation limit observed for forest trees. The principal investigators are William K. Smith from Wake Forest University and Maia Akhalkatski from the Institute of Botany in Tbilsi, Georgia. Most previous research on the ecological or physiological factors responsible for maintaining tree lines has focused on older saplings or mature trees. Recent studies have shown that young, newly emerged seedlings may suffer the greatest mortality, by far, of all life stages. High mountain plants have always received special attention at the Institute of Botany in Georgia because mountainous regions dominate the country. The Department of Ecology of the Institute of Botany has recently been re-oriented to emphasize the reproductive ecology of plants in extreme environments. This research specifically focuses on seedling establishment in Betula litwinowii, with and without association with Rhododendron caucasicum in the Greater Caucasus mountain range of Georgia.This project in environmental biology will provide a U.S. graduate student and an undergraduate research assistant access to unique research specialties that are not available in the U.S. - as much of the research on tree line questions originated in Europe and Eurasia. This project also fulfills the program objectives of bringing together leading experts in the U.S. and Central Europe and Eurasia to combine complementary efforts and capabilities in areas of strong mutual interest and competence on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutuality of benefit.