DISSERTATION RESEARCH: When edges meet: Interacting edge effects in an African savanna

生态边缘是相邻环境之间的过渡区（例如，森林和田野）。植物、动物和其他实体对边缘有强烈的反应，这些反应不是静态的。事实上，对给定边缘的响应可能会根据附近的环境以及这些环境在空间中的配置而发生显着变化。特别是，响应可以通过其他附近边缘的存在和配置来改变。全球范围内的人类栖息地破碎化的增加，激发了更好的理解边缘相互作用。随着景观变得更加分散或不完整，边缘变得更加紧密，边缘相互作用变得更加重要。因此，本研究将侧重于了解边缘的相互作用及其对破碎化景观管理的影响。这项研究位于肯尼亚的热带稀树草原生态系统中，牲畜与多样化和丰富的野生动物共存。新的牲畜管理方法正在增加这片热带稀树草原的斑块。使用大规模的操纵实验，这项研究将调查的患病率，原因和后果（植物，野生动物和牲畜）的边缘相互作用，在日益斑块景观。研究结果将提供一个综合的理解模型系统中的边缘相互作用，并将改善保护，恢复和管理工作，在破碎的景观世界各地。在当地，调查结果将通过时事通讯出版物、演示文稿、研讨会和在线论坛与管理人员和社区成员进行讨论。这项研究还将涉及三名肯尼亚实地助理、一名肯尼亚硕士生和当地小学生的教育。

Ecological edges are transition zones between adjacent environments (e.g., forest and field). Plants, animals and other entities respond strongly to edges, and these responses are not static. In fact, responses to a given edge can change dramatically depending on what environments are nearby, and how these environments are configured in space. In particular, responses can be altered by the presence and configuration of other, nearby edges. Worldwide increases in anthropogenic habitat fragmentation motivate an improved understanding of edge interactions. As landscapes become more fragmented or patchy, edges become more tightly packed, and edge interactions become more important. This research will therefore focus on understanding edge interactions and their implications for the management of fragmented landscapes. This research is located in a Kenyan savanna ecosystem, where livestock coexist with diverse and abundant wildlife. New livestock management practices are increasing the patchiness of this working savanna. Using large-scale manipulative experiments, this study will investigate the prevalence, causes, and consequences (for plants, wildlife and livestock) of edge interactions in the increasingly patchy landscape. Results will provide an integrated understanding of edge interactions in a model system, and will improve conservation, restoration and management efforts in fragmented landscapes worldwide. Locally, findings will be discussed with managers and community members via newsletter publications, presentations, workshops, and an online forum. This study will also involve the education of three Kenyan field assistants, a Kenyan Masters student, and local elementary school students.