inthecoastalsagescrub(css)habitatofsouthern（11页）.docVIP

THE PAPER SHOULD BE A MAXIMUM OF 5 PAGES (double-spaced; Times New Roman 12 font), excluding the title page and literature cited. First (title) page must include: Descriptive title Author Abstract (NOTE: MAXIMUM 200 WORDS) Abstract: Does the abstract reflect the title of the project and the aim and scope of the work? Does it contain essential information on rationale, hypothesis, study system and significance? Is it written clearly? (10 points) EFFECTS OF THE INVASIVE ARGENTINE ANT ON RODENTS AND PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION IN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB HABITAT Name Abstract In the coastal sage scrub (CSS) habitat of southern California, granivorous native ants and rodents are important dispersers of seeds. Whereas rodents cache and predate the large seeds of exotic grasses, native ants disperse the small seeds of native shrubs. Where the invasive Argentine ant is introduced into CSS habitat, it competitively displaces native ants. If the Argentine ant prefers eating large seeds to small seeds, it may compete with rodents for food resources. Furthermore, changes in dispersal dynamics caused by the displacement of native ants by the Argentine ant, as well as any subsequent competition with rodents for food resources, may lead to changes in CSS plant species composition. In this study I will use combinations of rodent exclosures and ant repellant to establish sites with 1) Argentine ants only, 2) rodents only, 3) Argentine ants and rodents, and 4) no Argentine ants or rodents. To examine whether Argentine ants compete with rodents for food resources, I will test for increases in abundance in each taxa where the other is removed. Additionally, I will survey vegetation on all sites before and after prescribed fires to examine how Argentine ant and rodent presence affects CSS plant species composition. Introduction: Does the introduction start by introducing a significant question in community ecology? Are statements supported by appropriate citations from publishe