DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The ecological and evolutionary impact of an invasive jewelweed on a native congener

入侵植物通常为了适应新的栖息地而进化。本土植物是否也可能进化以应对入侵的竞争对手？该项目的目的是研究新英格兰植物群落中本地宝石草凤仙花（Impatiens capensis）在应对入侵宝石草凤仙花（Impatiens glandulifera）竞争时的进化潜力。在温室和试验田环境下，已有研究表明，入侵的珠宝草改变了本土植物的营养和花性状的自然选择。这项研究将测试这种改变的选择是否发生在自然植物群落中。通过移除实验和互惠移植实验，该研究将测量有和没有入侵的珠宝草存在的本地植物的自然选择，并将测试入侵群落的幼苗是否已经进化到更好地与入侵植物竞争。入侵物种对世界各地的植物和动物群落构成挑战。该项目将展示如何在自然种群中评估入侵物种的长期进化影响，并在制定保护和恢复决策时应予以考虑。这项研究的结果将与自然保护协会和马萨诸塞州入侵植物咨询小组等保护组织共享。该项目还将为本科生研究人员提供学习如何在该领域研究自然选择的机会。

Invasive plants often evolve in response to novel habitats. Is it also possible that native plants may evolve in response to invasive competitors? The aim of this project is to investigate the potential for a native jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, to evolve in response to competition from an invasive jewelweed, Impatiens glandulifera, in New England plant communities. In greenhouse and experimental field settings, previous research showed that the invasive jewelweed alters natural selection on vegetative and floral traits of the native plant. This study will test whether this same altered selection occurs in natural plant communities. Using removal experiments and a reciprocal transplant experiment, the study will measure natural selection on the native plant both with and without the invasive jewelweed present, and will test whether seedlings from invaded communities have evolved to better compete with the invasive. Invasive species challenge plant and animal communities throughout the world. This project will demonstrate how the long-term evolutionary impact of invasive species can be estimated in natural populations and should be considered when formulating conservation and restoration decisions. Results from this study will be shared with conservation organizations including The Nature Conservancy and The Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group. The project will also provide an undergraduate researcher with the opportunity to learn how to study natural selection in the field.