A5057067674- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Plant and animal studies
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Forest Management and Policy
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Gut microbiota and health
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Agricultural Productivity and Crop Improvement
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems
- Bioeconomy and Sustainability Development
- Urban Green Space and Health
- Plant Ecology and Soil Science
- Bioenergy crop production and management
- Disaster Management and Resilience
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Nematode management and characterization studies
University of Alberta
2006-2025
Université de Sherbrooke
2023-2025
University of Arizona
2022-2023
Saint Mary's University
2015
University of the Fraser Valley
2006
Summary The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are a globally distributed group of soil organisms that play critical roles in ecosystem function. However, the ecological niches individual AM fungal taxa poorly understood. We collected > 300 samples from natural ecosystems worldwide and modelled realised virtual (VT; approximately species‐level phylogroups). found environmental spatial variables jointly explained VT distribution worldwide, with temperature pH being most important abiotic...
Anthropogenic biodiversity decline threatens the functioning of ecosystems and many benefits they provide to humanity1. As well as causing species losses in directly affected locations, human influence might also reduce relatively unmodified vegetation if far-reaching anthropogenic effects trigger local extinctions hinder recolonization. Here we show that plant diversity is globally negatively related level activity surrounding region. Impoverishment natural was evident only when considered...
Competition is often highlighted as a major force influencing plant species diversity. However, there are multiple facets of competition (e.g., strength, intransitivity, and size asymmetry) that may have independent differential impacts on diversity, making understanding the degree to which structures communities difficult. Unfortunately, field-based experiments decouple lacking, limiting our ability test theoretical frameworks reducing actual linkages among coexistence. Here, we...
Abstract Many pathways of invasion have been posited, but ecologists lack an experimental framework to identify which mechanisms are dominant in a given scenario. Plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) one such mechanism that tend initially facilitate, over time attenuate, invasive species' impacts on plant diversity and ecosystem function. PSFs typically measured under greenhouse conditions often assumed significant effects field change time. However, direct tests natural settings their rare. Here we...
Numerous pressures influence the ecological capacity and health of drylands globally. Shrubs are often a critical component these systems can function positively as foundation species through facilitation other species. Nonetheless, limited attention has been paid to potential negative indirect effects shrubs. Here, we tested hypothesis that plant both accelerate invasion process amplify an invader on native community. The invasive Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens capitalized by resident shrub...
Background Localized disturbances within grasslands alter biological properties and may shift species composition. For example, rare in established communities become dominant successional if they exhibit traits well-suited to disturbance conditions. Although the idea that plant different trait ‘strategies’ is well established, it unclear how ecological selection for specific change as a function of disturbance. Further, there little data available testing whether select single...
Abstract The size dependence of competitive interactions is starting to be highlighted as an important driver species diversity within communities; however, it still unknown whether all are equally impacted by size‐asymmetric competition and what resources drive it. Here, we test species‐specific responses under various soil environments manipulating plant well fertility, nutrient heterogeneity the initial suppression microbial communities a three‐species community. Competition was primarily...
Abstract Questions Small‐scale disturbances have been linked to the maintenance of plant diversity by promoting coexistence competitive and subdominant species. Many proposed mechanisms for this involve changes dynamics or abiotic environment. However, another possible mechanism could be a change seed bank dynamics, ultimately impacting species available re‐establishment. Here, we test: (a) how gap creation alters composition, inputs (i.e. rain) outputs seedling establishment predation); (b)...
Abstract When placing roots in the soil, plants integrate information about soil nutrients, plant neighbours and beneficial/detrimental organisms. While fine‐scale spatial heterogeneity nutrients have been described previously, virtually nothing is known structure biotic quality (measured here as a Biota‐Induced Growth Response, or BIGR), its correlation with neighbours. Such correlations could imply trade‐offs root placement decisions. Theory would predict that BIGR (1) negatively related...
Abstract A major restriction in predicting plant community response to future climate change is a lack of long‐term data needed properly assess species and identify baseline detect anomalies. Here, we use 106‐year dataset on Sonoran Desert test the role extreme temperature precipitation anomalies dynamics at decadal scale over time. Additionally, tested sensitivity 39 desert whether was associated with growth form, longevity, geographic range, or local dominance. We found that communities...
Severe road-making disturbance of a New Zealand high-alpine cushionfield initiated secondary succession which has been assessed against the adjacent undisturbed community with permanent transects over 24 yrs. The recently (yrs 11–24) accelerated as areas bare soil-stone pavement continue to be colonized. Total plant cover increased on disturbed sites this period (from 36 48%) and is now within range that in intact (48–59%), while early dominant graminoids, particularly Poa colensoi, are...
Invasive species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, often causing changes in plant community composition and, thus, the functional traits of that community. Quantifying can help us understand invasive impacts on communities; however, both invader may be responding to same environmental drivers. In North America, leafy spurge ( Euphorbia esula L.) is a problematic reduces diversity forage production for livestock. Its documented effects communities differ amongst studies,...
Abstract Questions Local size structure is frequently measured in plant populations and forested systems due to its association with population‐ community‐level processes. In contrast, rarely examined within herbaceous communities despite evidence for size‐dependent processes these systems, suggesting an important functional vegetation property may be widely overlooked. Here, we test whether vertical (a) varies a short‐stature grassland, (b) along productivity gradient, (c) enhances the...
Abstract Questions The biodiversity of deserts is becoming increasingly threatened due to global change including the introduction invasive species. Desert shrubs are foundational species that can facilitate native plant communities but also benefit exotic influence plants on establishment benefactors from seeds or seedlings a critical knowledge gap. We tested if establishment, survival, growth for benefactor shrub in California was reduced by grasses they field. Location San Joaquin Desert,...
Abstract Grazing by wild and domesticated grazers occurs within many terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, with positive negative impacts on biodiversity. Management of grazed lands in support biological conservation could benefit from a compiled dataset animal biodiversity adjacent to sites. In this database, we have assembled data the peer-reviewed literature that included all forms grazing, co-occurring species, site information. We reviewed 3,489 published articles found 245 studies 41...
Plants exhibit differential behaviours through changes in biomass development and distribution response to environmental cues, which may impact crops uniquely. We conducted a mesocosm experiment pots determine the root shoot behavioural responses of wheat, T. aestivum. were grown homogeneous or heterogeneous heavily lightly fertilized soil, alone with neighbour same different genetic identity (cultivars: CDC Titanium, Carberry, Glenn, Go Early, Lillian). Contrary predictions, wheat did not...
Dominant vegetation in many ecosystems is an integral component of structure and habitat. In drylands, native shrubs function as foundation species that benefit other plants animals. However, invasive exotic plant can comprise a significant proportion the vegetation. Central California facilitative shrub Ephedra californica Bromus rubens are widely dispersed common. Using comprehensive survey data structured by open gaps for region, we compared network with without this canopy brome. The...
Environmental circumstances shaping soil microbial communities have been studied extensively. However, due to disparate study designs, it has difficult resolve whether a globally consistent set of predictors exists, or context-dependency prevails. Here, we used network 18 grassland sites (11 those containing regional plant productivity gradients) examine (i) if similar abiotic biotic factors predict both large-scale (across sites) and regional-scale (within patterns in bacterial fungal...
(1961). GROWING POPLAR IN AUSTRALIA FOR INDUSTRY. Australian Forestry: Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 81-88.
Abstract Ecosystems are spatially heterogenous in plant community composition and function. Shrub occurrence grasslands is a visually striking example of this, much research has been conducted to understand the functional implications this pattern. Within savannah ecosystems, presence tree shrub overstories can have significant impacts on understory herbaceous community. The exact outcomes, however, likely function spatial arrangement traits overstory species. Here we test whether there...
Abstract Environmental circumstances shaping soil microbial communities have been studied extensively, but due to disparate study designs it has difficult resolve whether a globally consistent set of predictors exists, or context-dependency prevails. Here, we used network 18 grassland sites (11 sampled across regional plant productivity gradients) examine i) if the same abiotic biotic factors predict both large- and regional-scale patterns in bacterial fungal community composition, ii)...