Blog Post 7: Theoretical Perspectives
The ecological study I am conducting focuses on the influence of environmental gradients, specifically soil moisture and sunlight exposure, on the growth and distribution of dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) in a forested park area near Mississauga, ON. The underlying theoretical framework for this research is grounded in the principles of plant ecology, particularly those related to niche theory and resource availability.
Theoretical Basis
Niche Theory and Resource Availability: Niche theory posits that the distribution and abundance of a species are primarily determined by the availability of resources within a given environment. In this context, the key resources under investigation are soil moisture and sunlight. The hypothesis driving my research suggests that dandelions will exhibit optimal growth in environments where these resources are available in moderate, balanced amounts. Excessive moisture or sunlight, on the other hand, may lead to stress, reducing the plant’s overall vigour.
The interaction between these resources creates an environmental gradient across which dandelions must navigate to optimize their growth and reproductive success. By studying these gradients, I aim to better understand how dandelions allocate their energy between growth and reproduction in different environmental conditions. This approach aligns with broader ecological studies that examine how plants adapt to varying environmental factors within their ecological niches.
Disturbance Ecology: Another important theoretical aspect of this study involves disturbance ecology, particularly the impact of human activity on plant communities. The varying levels of human disturbance in different parts of the park provide a secondary gradient that may interact with the primary factors of soil moisture and sunlight. Disturbance ecology theory suggests that moderate disturbances can sometimes enhance biodiversity by creating new opportunities for species establishment, whereas high levels of disturbance may reduce biodiversity by disrupting established communities.
In my study, I hypothesize that areas with moderate human activity may support more robust dandelion populations compared to areas with either very high or very low disturbance. This is because moderate disturbance could reduce competition by periodically removing other species, allowing dandelions to thrive.