Diversity and resilience of plant communities in isolated ecosystems

孤立生态系统中植物群落的多样性和恢复力

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04179
• 负责人: Pellerin, Stéphanie
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: Université de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=714683
• 关键词: Diversity; resilience; plant; communities; isolated

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.

在世界许多地方，生态系统的破坏和分裂已经达到了很高的比例，以至于剩余的植物群落受到人性化栖息地矩阵的约束。该矩阵的组成，结构和景观动态对剩余生态系统的多样性和动态产生了强烈的影响。 我的研究计划的长期目标是增加我们对影响人类栖息地基质中植物群落的弹性的理解。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策略提供信息。 我的短期目标是1）评估树木侵占对湿地组成，多样性和弹性的影响，2）研究城市化与生物均质化之间的关系。为了实现前两个目标而进行的项目也将使3）确定哪些过程和组件负责社区组装和β多样性的变化。 在农业景观以及城市森林和空地的沼泽中，将作为研究模型。为了确定多样性和组成的变化，我的团队将主要采用重新采样方法（重新审视30 - 40年前采样的地块）和一种时间替代方法。这种历史方法可以使变革驱动因素与环境反应之间的牢固联系，因为植物通常对景观修饰有时间隔断的反应。 我的计划提供了一个独特的机会，可以提高我们对管理生态系统动态和组成的生态过程和机制的了解。最终能够面对人力引起的压力，并改善生态系统的保护和可持续管理计划，尤其是那些针对湿地和城市生态系统的知识，这对于能够最终能够增强生态系统的弹性至关重要。 多亏了我的计划，许多HQP将有机会在统计，植物生物学和保护方面发展高度宝贵的技能。 MSC的学生将获得所需的技能和知识，以从事社区生态学博士学位研究，如果他们愿意或装备了与生物学相关的高级工作。博士生将获得有关负责社区议会的过程的高级知识，并将在研究职业中处于良好状态。