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I first became interested in community ecology and ecosystem
processes while conducting field work in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
In savanna ecosystems, herbivores play a large role in ecosystem processes,
and their behavior and density appears to be heavily influenced by
predation.
A thorough understanding of these species interactions,
particularly between trophic levels, is essential for
managing complex ecosystems.
Without this understanding, it is impossible to predict how changes in
density, speciation, or other factors may impact a system as a whole. Here at Yale, I am looking at smaller
scale predation and herbivory to better understand
these processes.
In New England meadow systems, predators are known to have
unique indirect effects on ecosystem functions, and these effects are
determined by their hunting strategies.
Jumping spiders (Phidippus rimator) and
nursery web spiders (Pisaurina mira)
influence the grazing patterns of a generalist grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), which in turn influences
plants and nutrient cycling.
Previous detailed controlled experiments (conducted by Os
Schmitz) have shown that these two spiders influence herbivore behavior, and that
the combined effect of these predators is equal to the weighted average of
their respective individual effects.
My research aims to evaluate whether these experimental results are
predictive of outcomes in natural systems.
