Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biological Sciences for FY2000

Bellsey, Robert L, Univ Of Oregon, Eugene OR

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds an NSF Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biological Sciences for fiscal year 2000. The research and training plan is in the area of population biology and is entitled, " Examining riverbank restricted plants to determine if there is a pattern of genetic diversity coinciding with the structure of the watershed." Riparian plants may periodically be scoured out by seasonal floodwaters. Plant populations high in the watershed are less influenced by stochastic effects and may provide a source of migrants to recolonize regions downstream. This research compares genetic structure to spatial structure of the populations and estimates the relative importance of migration, founder effects and genetic drift. This study illustrates the potential role of population genetic structure for management efforts in terrestrial riparian corridors.