DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolution of Plant Traits in a Spatially and Temporally Heterogeneous Landscape

美国东南部的景观通常由周期性洪水泛滥的平原和附近更干燥的高地组成。在两种生境中出现的植物物种可能包括专用于一种环境的种群或在两种生境中生长同样好的植物(广义)，这是因为根据它们所经历的生境在形态和生理上进行了调整。这项研究考察了一种本地蓝莓中的这两种替代品。滩涂和旱地植物将被移植到这两个栖息地，以确定它们是在自己的“家”环境中生长得最好，还是在两个地点都表现得同样好。实地研究还将得到实验室实验的补充。通过传粉者或种子在两种生境中的植物之间进行遗传交换对于特化或泛化的进化是重要的。因此，研究人员将使用分子研究来测量遗传交换。这项研究将提供关于植物如何广泛分布于不同环境或仅限于少数生境的理解。这些知识对退化土地的恢复和保护是有价值的。专门化种群不是恢复不同栖息地的良好植物来源。此外，在专业化的情况下，保护应该以保护种群免受所有生境的影响为目标。

Landscapes in Southeastern United States often consist of floodplains subject to periodic flooding and nearby drier uplands. Plant species that occur in both habitats may consist of populations that are specialized to one environment or plants that grow equally well in both habitats (generalized) because of adjustments in morphology and physiology according to the habitat they experience. This study examines these two alternatives in a native blueberry. Floodplain and upland plants will be transplanted into both habitats to determine whether they grow best in their "home" environment or perform equally well in both locations. The field studies will also be complemented by laboratory experiments. Genetic exchange between plants in both habitats through pollinators or seeds is important to the evolution of specialization or generalization. The investigators will therefore measure genetic exchange using molecular studies.This study will provide an understanding of how plants are broadly distributed across environments or limited to few habitats. This knowledge is valuable to restoration of degraded lands and to conservation. Specialized populations will not be a good source of plants for restoration of different habitats. Additionally, with specialization, conservation should be directed at protecting populations from all habitats.