Ruth
A. Hufbauer - Research
Interests
The focus of
my lab is evolutionary ecology of plant-insect and insect-enemy interactions. I often study invasive species and their biological control agents, but also am involved in projects focused on general community ecology and ecosystem responses to global change. My approach is multidisciplinary, incorporating ideas and
techniques from the fields of ecology, ecological genetics
(the experimental study of short-term evolution), systematics, molecular biology,
behavior, and chemistry. I combine molecular population genetics with
small-scale laboratory experiments, large-scale manipulative field experiments,
and basic sampling and monitoring of natural populations.
I particularly enjoy being able to link fundamental evolutionary and ecological research with applied systems and questions of relevance to land managers.
Current Projects:
(1) Genetics
and ecology of invasive Centaurea. We are using cpDNA sequence data, AFLPs, and microsatellite loci to explore the origins and population structure
of diffuse a
nd spotted knapweeds (Centaurea diffusa) and
C. stoebe (often called C. maculosa) in collaboration with René Sforza (USDA ARS European Biological Control Laboratory in Montpellier).
The species hybridize and we are evaluating theconsequences of intra- and interspecific hybridization for this invasion, and for their interactions with introduced biological control agents. PhD students Robin Marrs and Amy Blair are working with this system. Robin on the population genetics of the invasion, and Amy on hybridization.
(2) Evolution of host use in phytophagous insects. PhD student Steve Rauth and I, along with our
colleague Dr. Hariet L. Hinz (CABI
Bioscience Switzerland Centre) are exploring the potential for evolution
of host range of three candidate biological control agents of garlic mustard.
We are also examining population genetic structure in the native range to estimate
dispersal, and focus ecological genetic experiments.
(3) Effects of seed predators on plant communities. PhD student Chrissy Alba-Lynn is initiating this project on the short grass steppe LTER. Summer 2007 we plan to put up exclosures for both ants and small rodents, and then we will track plant community composition. Additionally, Chrissy is planning experimental tests of what seeds are preferred, and whether particular key species are seed limited.
(4) Responses of arctic plant populations to climate warming. I'm collaborating with Dr. Heidi Steltzer on this project of hers. She is an ecosystem scientist studying how plants in the high arctic respond to global change, and in turn how that affects ecosystem services. It is predicted that there might be either massive die-offs or increased 'greening' of the arctic. Such non-linear changes in plant cover will dramatically affect feedbacks into the global climate (e.g. whether the arctic is a carbon source or sink). Thus far my contribution has been doing some population genetics on Salix arctica to evaluate whether individuals are primarily clonally produced or sexually produced. Contrary to general assumption, sex appears to be rampant. We're applying for funding to initiate basic population monitoring, and link that to ecosystem function in Greenland.
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