DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Indirect Regulation of Aboveground Ecological Processes by a Belowground Ecosystem Engineer

在影响生态系统的结构和功能方面，并不是所有物种生来就是平等的。“生态系统工程师”是通过改变自然环境来调节资源流向其他物种的物种，但与其他生态过程相比，人们对他们是如何做到这一点仍知之甚少。这个项目的重点是一名地下生态系统工程师(白蚁，齿白蚁属)如何在肯尼亚一个野生动物友好型商业牛场调节地上生态过程。通过野外和实验室实验，该项目将研究白蚁如何通过促进植物生长间接控制无脊椎动物和蜥蜴(该栖息地最常见的脊椎动物)的分布和丰度。了解人类主导的工作牧场物种之间的功能关系对于长期保护生态系统完整性和人类企业(如养牛场)都是重要的。在许多热带牧场，白蚁是生态学家所说的“基石”--它们对生态系统的影响是如此深远，以至于对维持生态系统健康至关重要。这个项目考察了白蚁如何发挥其关键影响，并将使人们对生态系统中的Keystone角色有一个更全面的了解。此外，该项目将为几名当地肯尼亚人提供全职就业机会，并通过一系列受欢迎的出版物和讲座对当地社区和美国高中生进行非洲生态和管理方面的教育。

When it comes to influencing the structure and function of ecosystems, not all species are created equal. ''Ecosystem engineers'' are species that regulate resource flows to other species by modifying the physical environment, but precisely how they do this remains poorly understood relative to other ecological processes. This project focuses on how a subterranean ecosystem engineer (termites, genus Odontotermes) regulates aboveground ecological processes on a wildlife-friendly commercial cattle ranch in Kenya. Using field and laboratory experiments, the project will address how, by promoting plant growth, termites indirectly control the distribution and abundance of both invertebrates and the lizard Lygodactylus keniensis (which is the most common vertebrate in this habitat).Understanding functional relationships between species in human-dominated, working rangelands is important both for the long-term protection of ecosystem integrity and for human enterprises such as cattle ranching. In many tropical rangelands, termites are what ecologists call ''keystones''- their impact on the ecosystem is so profound as to be critical in maintaining ecosystem health. This project examines how termites exert their pivotal influence and will inform a more general understanding of keystone players in ecosystems. In addition, the project will provide full-time employment to several local Kenyans and educate both local communities and American high school students about African ecology and management via a series of popular publications and lectures.