Ecological genetics of the
invasive Fallopia
The
objective of our research is to determine the genetic structure of
invasive Fallopia
plant species on Long Island, NY and relate this genetic structure
to the
spread of this invasive into novel coastal habitats. Long Island beach,
marsh
and woodland populations of Fallopia have genetically based
differences
in important traits, suggesting that these populations have
differentiated. The
physiological challenges presented by this diversity of environments
may have
thus required changes at the genetic level that can be identified
through
variation in population genetic structure. Using genetic markers and
reciprocal transplant studies, we will test
the following hypotheses to discern how this invasive may have adapted
to this
diversity of environments at the genetic level:
1)
Long Island Fallopia populations are genetically different
from those of
the invasive European populations and consist of particularly invasive,
hybrid
genotypes.
2)
Vegetative spread is limited in these populations, which consist of a
high
diversity of clones.
3)
Because of environmental sorting, populations in
different habitats are genetically different.
