NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2013

调查运动行为对入侵物种空间扩散的影响：以南佛罗里达的缅甸蟒为例预测入侵物种的地理扩散对于理解和预测其生态影响至关重要。许多研究已经承认，在空间传播模型中对复杂动物行为的解释可以更准确地预测入侵的动态。基于个体的模型可以将行为复杂性纳入运动，并提供一种预测运动和扩散策略对传播动态影响的方法。缅甸蟒蛇（Python molurus bivittatus）原产于南亚，生活在南佛罗里达，目前正在向北通过佛罗里达半岛，向南进入佛罗里达群岛。该研究员将分析缅甸蟒蛇运动能力的实证研究，并使用这些数据来参数化空间明确的，基于个体的模型，以调查运动行为对缅甸蟒蛇传播动态的影响。这项研究将为预测蟒蛇的传播速度和入侵路线提供信息，并深入了解运动和导航能力对物种种群动态的影响。 该研究员将开发计算机模拟建模，数学建模和经验数据分析方面的专业知识。该项目将增加一个模拟模型（ESTA），可供野生动物和自然资源管理人员使用。教学计划包括培养本科生的研究，开发入门级本科科学类讲座，并设计和实施一个上层的本科生物学课程的动态建模。该研究员将通过戴维森研究计划，TERRA环境中心和Ada Jenkins中心指导代表性不足的少数民族学生。

Investigating the influence of movement behavior on the spatial spread of invasive species: A case study with the Burmese python in South Florida Predicting the geographic spread of invasive species is central to understanding and predicting their ecological impacts. Numerous studies have acknowledged that an accounting of complex animal behaviors in models of spatial spread give rise to more accurate predictions of the dynamics of invasions. Individual-based models can incorporate behavioral complexity in movement and provide a method for predicting the effects of movement and dispersal strategies on spread dynamics. The Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), a native of southern Asia, is established in South Florida and is currently expanding its range northward through the Florida peninsula and southward into the Florida Keys. The fellow will analyze empirical studies on the movement capacity of Burmese pythons and use these data to parameterize spatially-explicit, individual-based models to investigate the influence of movement behavior on Burmese python spread dynamics. This study will provide informative predictions of spread rate and invasion routes of pythons and insight into the influence of movement and navigational capacity on species' population dynamics. The fellow will develop expertise in computer simulation modeling, mathematical modeling, and empirical data analysis. This project will result in additions to a simulation model (SEARCH) that is available for use by wildlife and natural resource managers. The teaching plan includes training undergraduates in research, developing lectures for entry-level undergraduate science classes, and designing and implementing an upper-level undergraduate biology course in dynamic modeling. The fellow will mentor underrepresented minority students through the Davidson Research Initiative, TERRA Environmental Center, and the Ada Jenkins Center.