Abstract Detail

Ecology

Knauf, Kyla [1], Ernst, Adrienne [2].

Phylogenetic Diversity – A Potential Indicator of Invasion Resistance.

In Illinois, less than one-tenth percent of its tallgrass prairie still remains. This major loss makes restoration efficiency increasingly important. A large threat towards restorations is invasive species. While studies traditionally count species (species richness) to characterize native communities and subsequent invasive species resistance, this does not consider the specific species characteristics present. My project aims to assess lesser-studied phylogenetic diversity (PD) of native species and its effect on invasive species success. PD measures the evolutionary history represented, which approximates the niche space occupied by the native community. My hypothesis is that as PD increases, invasion resistance will increase because maximizing occupied niche space decreases space for invasives. To test this, we used experimentally restored prairie plots with three levels of PD. Three different invasive species were planted in each plot in early June, and basal rosette diameter or height and survivorship were measured in late July as metrics of invasive success. In the end, the analyzed data demonstrated no significant difference within invasive species success between the three levels of PD. This may be because the niche was not saturated enough, the growing season was too short, or because there was too low of replication due to high death.

1 - University of San Diego, Biology, 5998 Alcala Park , Unit U4B0, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA
2 - Northwestern University, Plant Biology and Conservation, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022, USA

Keywords:
Ecology
Plant Community
Invasive species
prairie
phylogenetic diversity.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecology Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM Time and date to be determined
Number: PEC001
Abstract ID:110
Candidate for Awards:None