COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, LTREB RENEWAL: Using long-term data, experiments and modeling to assess demographic effects of fire and complex interactions in Florida scrub

长期数据为了解景观和物种如何适应气候变化、土地利用变化和各种干扰提供了有价值的背景。这个项目延续了对14种植物长达26年的研究，将实验与模型相结合，以了解局部和区域差异对植物种群动态的影响。田间试验将改变水和灰分的添加和清除、竞争和种子添加。在未受干扰的种群和实验处理中都将测量存活、生长、繁殖力和招募，然后这些小范围的反应将与气候和火灾制度的更大范围的变化联系起来。长期数据和实验结果将为预测不同火灾和气候条件如何影响关键植物物种的模型提供信息。总体而言，这项研究利用多个共生植物物种的长期人口统计数据来揭示植物如何跨越不同的空间尺度对环境变化做出反应。这项研究结合了多个层面的教育努力。它将在每年夏天支持高中研究助理，并为毕业后的实习生提供资金，继续提供独特的、高效的、深入的研究体验。研究生将通过参与研究来接受培训。该项目将提供丰富的统计、生态和保护信息，直接为佛罗里达灌木丛的保护做出贡献，佛罗里达州灌木丛是一个濒危生态系统，是数十个濒危物种的家园。专门的讲习班以及通过协作和介绍与当地土地管理人员和政策制定者的持续互动将增加研究成果的实际价值。具体地说，该项目将告知土地管理人员使用火灾和其他工具来保护受到严重威胁的植物。公共展览和艺术项目将直接向公众传达信息。

Long-term data provide a valuable context to understand how landscapes and species adjust to variation in climate, changing land use, and a variety of disturbances. This project extends a twenty-six year study of 14 plant species by combining experiments with models to understand the effects of local and regional variation on plant population dynamics. Field experiments will vary water and ash addition and removal, competition, and seed additions. Survival, growth, fecundity, and recruitment will be measured in both undisturbed populations and experimental treatments, and these small-scale responses will then be linked with larger-scale changes in climate and fire regimes. Long-term data and experimental results will inform models that predict how different fire and climate conditions affect key plant species. In general, this research takes advantage of long-term demographic data on multiple co-occurring plant species to reveal how plants respond across different spatial scales to environmental change. The research incorporates education efforts at multiple levels. It will support high school research assistants each summer and will fund post-baccalaureate interns, continuing a unique, highly productive, in-depth research experience. Graduate students will be trained through their participation in the research. The project will provide a wealth of statistical, ecological, and conservation information, contributing directly to conservation of Florida scrub, an imperiled ecosystem that is home to dozens of endangered species. Specialized workshops and continual interaction with local land managers and policy makers through collaborations and presentations will increase the practical value of the research findings. Specifically, the project will inform land managers using fire and other tools to conserve critically threatened plants. Public displays and art projects will directly convey information to the general public.