Research Abstract:
We study the population ecology of rare and invasive plant species, and address questions related to the causes and consequences of their abundances and distributions. Why are some species rare, while their closely related congeners are widespread? How does dispersal ability and density dependence determine the population abundance and spread of invasive plants? In particular, we focus on the role of interspecific interactions between plants and pollinators, herbivores, seed predators and competitors on the long term rates of plant population growth. We consider how inbreeding and inbreeding depression may affect interspecific interactions. Our study sites include the Tyson Research Center and the Shaw Nature Reserve (both near St. Louis, Missouri) and Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California.
Selected Publications:
Pardini EA, Drake JM, Chase JM and Knight TM. Complex population dynamics and control of the invasive biennial, Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard). Ecological Applications 2009 19: 387-397.
Schutzenhofer MR, Valone TJ and Knight TM. Herbivory and Population Dynamics of Invasive and Native Lespedeza. Oecologia 2009 161: 57-66.
Knight TM, Caswell H and Kalisz S. Population growth rate of a common understory herb decreases non-linearly across a gradient of deer herbivory. Forest Ecology and Management 2009 257: 1095-1103.
Vitt P, Havens K, Kendall B and Knight TM. Effects of community-level grassland management on the non-target rare annual Agalinis auriculata. Biological Conservation 2009 142: 798-805.
Farrington S, Muzika R-M, Drees D, Knight TM. Interactive effects of harvest and deer herbivory on the population dynamics of American ginseng. Conservation Biology 2009 23: 719-728.
Last Updated: 08/27/2009 |