Experiments
Experiment 238 - Investigating patterns of habitat specialization in fifteen co-occurring willow and poplar species.
Thirteen willow (Salix) species occur in southeastern Minnesota and often co-occur within the same wetlands. This high local diversity is challenging to explain since closely related species are often functionally similar and density-dependent interactions such as competition and susceptibility to pests and pathogens should limit their co-occurrence. However, if willow species are partitioning resources, or if they are phylogenetically structured so that closely related species rarely co-occur, then the impact of these density-dependent processes could be reduced. In this study, I examined the role of niche partitioning in maintaining local willow diversity by documenting species distributions in plots across a water availability gradient and comparing species physiology in the field and greenhouse. By taking a phylogenetic approach, I also investigated whether willow communities exhibit phylogenetic community structure and whether there is evidence for environmental filtering.
Datasets
| Dataset ID | Title | Range of Years (# years with data) |
|---|---|---|
| aave238 | Depth to the water table measurements and soil analysis for the field plots | 2008-2008 (1 year) |
| aare238 | Functional traits measured in a greenhouse common garden | 2009-2009 (1 year) |
| aawe238 | Functional traits measured under field conditions in native populations | 2009-2009 (1 year) |
| aaoe238 | Growth, gas exchange and hydraulic conductivity of greenhouse grown willows under pre-drought conditions | 2006-2006 (1 year) |
| aaue238 | Sequences of the nuclear gene ADH for thirteen species of willows and two poplars | 2010-2010 (1 year) |
| aaqe238 | Total basal area of all willow and poplar species present in field plots | 2008-2008 (1 year) |