REU: Dynamics and Evolution of Clonal Plant Populations

REU：克隆植物种群的动态和进化

• 批准号: 8705747
• 负责人: John Silander
• 金额: $ 6.87万
• 依托单位: University of Connecticut
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1988
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1988-01-01 至 1990-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=8705747&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: REU; Dynamics; Evolution; Clonal; Plant

The purpose of this study is to determine the fundamental processes that control structure and regulate the size of clonal plant populations. To date there has been surprisingly little agreement among ecologists as to how any plant population is regulated. Dr. Silander has developed an approach that combines field experiments with mathematical models, based on observations of individual clone performance (i.e. size, growth rates, reproduction, etc.) and clone competition. These models will provide specific predictions of clone population composition and fluctuation which can be field tested. This protocol has been used to accurately predict the fluctuations and species composition of annual plant populations. The proposed study will provide the same for clonal populations. The experimental phase of the study will focus on clonal populations of white clover raised in the field with perennial ryegrass. Together these species form one of the dominant types of agricultural forage communities found throughout the temperate zone of the world. This system is thus of considerable economic importance. Competition among white clover clones and between clover and ryegrass will be examined. Furthermore the study will examine the effects of environmental variation (temporal and spatial) on clover population fluctuations. The study will provide an unprecedented understanding of the structure and composition of plant populations. It will allow prediction of the population consequences of variation in genetic diversity, environmental variation and grassland management regimes. Thus the study has significant application for agricultural systems as well as providing basic knowledge of the ecology and population biology of white clover.

本研究的目的是确定控制克隆植物种群结构和规模的基本过程。 令人惊讶的是，迄今为止，生态学家对于如何调节植物种群的问题几乎没有达成一致。 西兰德博士基于对个体克隆性能（即大小、生长速率、繁殖等）和克隆竞争的观察，开发了一种将现场实验与数学模型相结合的方法。 这些模型将提供可进行现场测试的克隆种群组成和波动的具体预测。 该协议已用于准确预测年度植物种群的波动和物种组成。 拟议的研究将为克隆群体提供相同的结果。 该研究的实验阶段将重点关注在多年生黑麦草田间饲养的白三叶草克隆群体。 这些物种共同构成了世界温带地区农业饲料群落的主要类型之一。 因此，该系统具有相当大的经济重要性。 将检查白三叶草克隆之间以及三叶草和黑麦草之间的竞争。 此外，该研究还将研究环境变化（时间和空间）对三叶草种群波动的影响。 这项研究将对植物种群的结构和组成提供前所未有的了解。 它将允许预测遗传多样性、环境变化和草原管理制度的变化对种群的影响。 因此，该研究对于农业系统具有重要的应用，并提供白三叶草生态学和种群生物学的基础知识。