Consumers of living and dead plant matter: at the root of decomposers, plant enemies and mycorrhizae in trophic ecology
Open Access
- Author:
- Malik, Rondy
- Graduate Program:
- Ecology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 13, 2019
- Committee Members:
- Terrence H. Bell, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
David M. Eissenstat, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Mary Ann Bruns, Committee Member
Alan H Taylor, Committee Member
Alan H Taylor, Outside Member
Terrence H. Bell, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
David M. Eissenstat, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- Microbes
Plants
Decomposers
Herbivores
Mycorrhizae
Roots
Food-webs
Wood
Trophic Ecology - Abstract:
- The basis of trophic ecology stems from animal ecology, but the role of microbes is just as important. Microbes can sway resource economies, and impact entire communities and trophic structure. This body of work applies hypotheses from classical ecology in modern contexts. Through greenhouse, common garden and field experiments, the roles of microbes are assessed from basic to applied perspectives. Applied aspects of this research provide insights on mycorrhizae in bioprotection, including the interplay of mycorrhizae, plants and natural enemies (Chapter 1); basic aspects of this research elucidate mechanisms of mycorrhizae in modulating herbivore life-histories (Chapter 2). Also, for the first time, the hypothesis of a late classical ecologist is tested on recalcitrant woody litter decomposition. Also, a widely-known hypothesis termed the “Home-field Advantage” is also assessed in a novel context. Here, the home-field advantage hypothesis is coupled with tree bark decomposition to assess microbial succession, especially as it relates to environmental filtration (Chapter 3). In the final research chapter, the “Gadgil Effect”, which hypothesizes that root microbial associations can suppress decomposition through pre-emptive competition, is revisited and examined (Chapter 4). In this Dissertation, the importance of microbes in community function is elucidated.