DISPERSAL'S ROLE IN COMMUNITY DYNAMICS
The following work was conducted during my M.Sc. at UBC with the Germain Lab. Find a link to my thesis here.
Role of seedbanks in persistence across habitat boundaries
Patchy populations combat isolation and temporal variability via bet-hedging strategies: dispersal or dormancy. My project explores how dormant populations might simultaneously deal with isolation as well as variability through secondary dispersal as dormant seeds. This method of patch connectivity could be particularly important when movement is facilitated by interactions between landscape features and seed traits.
Patchy populations combat isolation and temporal variability via bet-hedging strategies: dispersal or dormancy. My project explores how dormant populations might simultaneously deal with isolation as well as variability through secondary dispersal as dormant seeds. This method of patch connectivity could be particularly important when movement is facilitated by interactions between landscape features and seed traits.
On the other hand, habitat between serpentine patches is invaded by European grasses. We looked at the effect that invasive species, particularly Avena fatua, has on endemic populations. I am quantifying dispersal pressure into the patches in order to evaluate the persistence of these invasive individuals and determine if they are reproductively transient or stable through population growth rates and germination success.
Multi-trophic approach to nutrient and species movement (NSERC-USRA Mentor)
This project is a collaboration with mentees Kately Nikiforuk and Jenny Mackay. We ask how do herbivores and carnivores reinforce or dilute productivity gradients through plant dispersal and nutrient movement via their scat. Our results suggest that herbivores play a larger role in local nutrient movement, whereas carnivores disperse alien species long distances through consumption and excretion (i.e. endozoochory).
This project is a collaboration with mentees Kately Nikiforuk and Jenny Mackay. We ask how do herbivores and carnivores reinforce or dilute productivity gradients through plant dispersal and nutrient movement via their scat. Our results suggest that herbivores play a larger role in local nutrient movement, whereas carnivores disperse alien species long distances through consumption and excretion (i.e. endozoochory).
Select publications:
Szojka, M & R.M. Germain. 2024. Dispersing across habitat boundaries: Uncovering the demographic fates of populations in unsuitable habitat. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4814 Mackay, J., K. Nikiforuk, M. Szojka, C.J. Little, J.R. Fleri & R.M. Germain. 2021. Animals connect plant species and resources in a meta-ecosystem. Landscape Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-021-01244-4 |