Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Information onanatomical root traits (e.g., root xylem fraction) and seed traits (e.g., hydro-thermal periods for germination) provide insight into how differences in functional traits of invaders and resident species shape competitive interactions. These traits may be particularly important to include in our dataset because the timing of germination and the ability of seedlings to quickly move water from the root zone to leaf tissues determines plant establishment and persistence in many dryland systems including the California system in which the field component of the project was completed.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The overarching goal of the project is to advance understanding of the functional causes and consequences of invasion.Objective 1: Determine the extent to which resident species performance (i.e., growth, abundance, and reproduction) is influenced by differences in traits between the invader and resident species.Objectives 2 & 3: Quantify changes in functional components of communities and ecosystem services resulting from invasion. Evaluate whether patterns identified above vary by environmental context and scale.
Project Methods
I along with two undergraduates will gather root and seed trait data in lab settings to complement work already completed for this project.