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Phylogenetic Community Structure Of Aquatic Beetle Assemblages In A Multi-Wetland Experiment, Sandor Lawrence Kelly
Phylogenetic Community Structure Of Aquatic Beetle Assemblages In A Multi-Wetland Experiment, Sandor Lawrence Kelly
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Phylogenetic Community Structure (PCS) metrics are becoming more common in community ecology. PCS metrics estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among members of an ecological community or assemblage. If ecological traits are conserved, then phylogenetic clustering (i.e., taxa are more closely related than expected by chance) indicates habitat filtering as the key process in community assembly. On the other hand, a pattern of phylogenetic overdispersion (i.e., taxa are more distantly related than expected by chance) suggests competition is dominant. Most studies to date have used PCS of unmanipulated ecosystems, but the value of PCS metrics will be best revealed in experiments. This …
Understanding Plant Community Composition In Agricultural Welands: Context Dependent Effects And Plant Interactions, Elizabeth Boughton
Understanding Plant Community Composition In Agricultural Welands: Context Dependent Effects And Plant Interactions, Elizabeth Boughton
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Community composition results from an integrated combination of random processes, regional habitat spatial structure, local environmental conditions, and species interactions. For example, the outcome of plant interactions can change depending on local environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, land management, or herbivory intensity. In particular, plant interactions may vary between facilitation and competition depending on ecological context, with facilitation expected to be prevalent under stressful conditions. I present the results of four studies that address different aspects of the community assemblage and dynamics emphasizing the synergistic effect of different processes. In the first, I investigated the importance of habitat isolation …
Native And Invasive Competitors Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Michelle Boudreaux
Native And Invasive Competitors Of The Eastern Oyster Crassostrea Virginica In Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, Michelle Boudreaux
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Populations of Crassostrea virginica within Mosquito Lagoon, Florida have recently undergone significant die-offs, which are a subject of major concern. Restoration efforts within Mosquito Lagoon are focusing on reconstructing the three-dimensional reef habitats. Before effective protocols can be established, however, important questions about the sources of juvenile and adult oyster mortality must be answered. Potential causes of Crassostrea virginica mortality in the Indian River Lagoon system include sediment loads, competition, predation, and disease. My research focused on the interactions between oysters and the competitors that may affect the settlement, growth, and survival of Crassostrea virginica. The four objectives of my …