Collaborative Research: EAGER - Eco-Evolutionary Feedback on Community Assembly

了解生态和进化过程之间的相互作用对于发展一个强有力的社区集合理论至关重要。随着在纽约州锡拉丘兹附近的一个实验森林中即将建造许多临时池塘，有一个独特的机会将这些系统用作测试生态和进化因素如何在物种殖民新栖息地时进行反馈的几个方面的模型。该项目将在池塘建设后立即独立操作无脊椎动物的遗传和物种多样性，并测量最初的建立如何影响随后的遗传多样性、物种多样性和生活史特征的进化。通过受控的大规模野外实验，该项目解决了三个问题：(1)物种相互作用和扩散限制在多大程度上影响群落聚集？(2)遗传多样性如何影响群落聚集？(3)聚集群落如何影响重要的适应度特征？这一研究的直接结果应有助于洞察生态因素(如物种多样性和相互作用)和进化因素(如遗传多样性和生活史特征的进化)在影响这一群落格局的动态时如何相互作用。利用这一时间有限的机会来控制池塘社区的建设，也将随着社区的发展而带来更有趣的长期研究。该项目将导致培训一名博士后研究员、一名研究生和几名本科生(其中几人是女性和/或在科学界代表性不足的族裔群体的成员)。将通过在现有的外联网站(www.life.uiuc.edu/Caceres/Teachers)上增加一个与该奖项有关的模块来实现公众外联。卡塞斯和舒尔茨将利用纽约州和伊利诺伊州的州立标准，共同开发经验教训。项目参与者将成为一个多学科研究小组的成员，评估建造的临时池塘在恢复工作中的作用，特别是在保护濒危两栖动物方面的作用。

Understanding the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes is essential for developing a robust theory of community assembly. With the imminent construction of numerous temporary ponds in an experimental forest near Syracuse, NY, there is the unique opportunity to use these systems as models for testing several aspects of how ecological and evolutionary factors feedback as species colonize new habitats. The project will manipulate independently both genetic and species diversity of invertebrates immediately after pond construction, and measure how initial establishment influences subsequent genetic diversity, species diversity, and the evolution of life history traits. Through a controlled, large-scale, field experiment, the project addresses three questions: (1) To what extent do species interactions versus dispersal limitation influence community assembly? (2) How does genetic diversity influence community assembly? (3) How does the assembling community influence important fitness traits? The immediate results of this EAGER should provide insight into how ecological (e.g., species diversity and interactions) and evolutionary factors (e.g., genetic diversity and evolution of life history traits) interact when influencing the dynamics of this landscape of communities. Taking advantage of this time-limited opportunity to control the pond communities from their construction will also lead to more interesting longer-term studies as the communities develop.This project will result in the training of one post-doctoral fellow, one graduate student and several undergraduates (several of whom are women and/or members of ethnic groups that are underrepresented in science). Public outreach will be accomplished by adding a module related to this award to an existing outreach website (www.life.uiuc.edu/caceres/teachers). Cáceres and Schulz will develop the lessons together, using state standards from both New York and Illinois. Project participants will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team evaluating the role of constructed temporary ponds in restoration efforts, especially in the conservation of endangered amphibians.