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Dr. Alejandra Martínez Blancas, Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University
Abstract:
How diversity is maintained in communities has puzzled ecologists for decades. A way of assessing diversity maintenance is through Moder Coexistence Theory (MCT). MCT states that species may coexist if they differ sufficiently in their niches to overcome differences in their fitness. If species differ in their niches, then they will compete more strongly with conspecifics (intraspecific competition) than with other species (interspecific competition). We know that inter- and intraspecific interactions shift under abiotic changes in the environment. For example, competition may become weaker under stressful conditions. However, it is still unclear how coexistence mechanisms change because of these shifts. My research focuses on understanding how shifts in species interactions over abiotic factors affect species coexistence. In a semiarid grassland in Mexico, using field experiments and observational data coupled with dynamic population modeling., I found that the hydric gradient can aid niche differentiation. However, coexistence likely depends on other niche axes such as natural enemies. Indirect facilitation (i.e. when a species constrains another that would otherwise thwart a third) also plays an important role in diversity maintenance in this grassland. Global change factors may also have unexpected consequences on species coexistence. Increased nutrient inputs and greenhouse gasses, on competition and coexistence is still unknown. My current directions include exploring this using data from long-term field experiments that manipulate competition, soil nitrogen (N) and atmospheric CO2. As we desperately attempt to maintain our species diversity in the face of climate change, a better understanding of coexistence mechanisms is necessary.
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