General Observations of Plant-Lichen and Plant-Herbivore Interactions

Description

We wish to conduct a series of surveys/observations in the US Forest Service's Gunnison District and at RMBL examining plant and insect populations along with plant-lichen interactions. Our general research interests focus on insect host-pathogen interactions, plant-herbivore interactions, and plant demography. The areas of current interest include: 1) plant-lichen interactions between a common aster and a common lichen [the main focus of our current research]; 2) long-term dynamics of grasshopper populations in the area; 3) population dynamics of the aspen tortrix along with its associated diseases and parasites; 4) anti-herbivore defenses in heartleaf bittercress and the implications of these defenses for herbivore fitness; and 5) ant-aphid mutualisms and how they may affect plant-pollinator interactions particularly on fireweed. The current plan is focused on observational studies and no manipulative experiments are being planned at this time. In the near future, we are considering potential experiments that may include manipulations in the plant-lichen system.