Diversity and resilience of plant communities in isolated ecosystems

在世界许多地区，生态系统的破坏和碎片化已经达到如此高的比例，以至于剩余的植物群落被限制在人类栖息地的矩阵中。这种基质的组成、结构和景观动态对剩余生态系统的多样性和动态有很大的影响。我的研究计划的长期目标是增加我们对影响被限制在人性化生境矩阵中的植物群落的弹性的过程的理解。最终，这项研究将为减轻环境变化对生态系统的直接和间接影响的战略提供参考。我的短期目标是1)评估树木入侵对湿地组成、多样性和恢复力的影响，以及2)调查城市化和生物同质化之间的关系。为实现前两个目标而开展的项目还将使人们有可能3)确定哪些流程和组件负责社区组装和测试版多样性的变化。隔离在农业景观以及城市森林和空置草本植物地块中的沼泽将作为研究模型。为了确定多样性和组成的变化，我的团队将主要使用重新采样方法(重新查看30-40年前采样的地块)和空间换取时间的方法。这种历史方法使人们能够在变化的驱动因素和环境反应之间建立牢固的联系，因为植物对景观修改的反应往往是滞后的。我的项目提供了一个独特的机会来提高我们对控制生态系统动态和组成的生态过程和机制的了解。这些知识对于最终能够培养生态系统在面临越来越大的人为压力时的韧性以及改善生态系统的保护和可持续管理方案至关重要，特别是那些专门针对湿地和城市生态系统的方案。感谢我的计划，许多HQP将有机会在统计学、植物生物学和保护方面发展非常有价值的技能。MSC学生都将获得在社区生态学方面攻读博士学位所需的技能和知识，如果他们愿意，或为高级生物学相关工作做好准备的话。博士生将掌握负责社区组装的流程方面的高级知识，并将为研究生涯做好准备。

In many parts of the world, the destruction and fragmentation of ecosystems have reached such a high proportion that remaining plant communities are constrained within a matrix of humanized habitats. The composition, structure and landscape dynamics of this matrix exert a strong influence on the diversity and dynamics of remaining ecosystems. The long-term objective of my research program is to increase our understanding of the processes that influence the resilience of plant communities constrained within a matrix of humanized habitats. Ultimately, this research will inform strategies for mitigating the direct and indirect impacts of environmental changes on ecosystems. My short-term goals are to 1) evaluate the effect of tree encroachment on wetland composition, diversity and resilience and 2) investigate the relationship between urbanization and biotic homogenization. The projects carried out to achieve these first two objectives will also make it possible to 3) identify which processes and components are responsible for community assembly and beta diversity changes. Bogs isolated in agricultural landscapes as well as urban forests and vacant herbaceous lots will serve as study models. To identify changes in diversity and composition, my team will primarily use a resampling approach (revisiting plots sampled 30-40 years ago) and a space-for-time substitution methodology. Such a historical approach enables robust links between the drivers of change and environmental response to be made, as plants often have a time-lagged response to landscape modifications. My program offers a unique opportunity to improve our knowledge of the ecological processes and mechanisms that govern ecosystem dynamics and composition. This knowledge is essential to eventually be able to foster ecosystem resilience in face of growing human-induced pressures and to improve programs for the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems, especially those specific to wetlands and urban ecosystems. Thanks to my program, many HQP will have the opportunity to develop highly valuable skills in statistics, plant biology and conservation. MSc students will all acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue doctoral studies in community ecology if they wish or equip them for advanced biology-related employment. PhD students will come to possess advanced knowledge on the processes responsible for community assembly and will be well positioned for a research career.