Spatial Ecology
Summer 2003

Spatial ecology is a broad discipline that considers arrangements in space and use of space fundamental ecological constructs. This can range from the distribution of habitats or organisms across the landscape to the study of the mechanisms responsible for these distributions. Thus spatial ecological studies can use remote sensing to trace large-scale changes in habitat distributions or ground surveys to determine habitat and community composition or manipulative studies of how and why particular species colonize and persist in a particular area. Options for students in this cluster will include this range, from understanding how land use changes through time, to the distribution of various pollutants across the landscape, to more mechanistic understanding of how and why plants, animals, and microorganisms are where they are.

• Effects of fire history on spatial patterns in the Rincon Mountain District using Landsat TM data -- Michelle Corrigan (Miami University) & Dr. Mary Henry
• The communities of Diptera on untreated and treated grass habitats in Oxford, Ohio -- Rebeca de Jesus-Crespo (University of Puerto Rico @ Mayaguez) & Dr. Bruce Steinly
• Using Escherichia coli microcosms to test ecological neutral theory -- Lisa Dwyer (University of Tampa) & Dr. Hank Stevens
• Characterization and size distribution of particulate matter along an urban gradient in Oxford, Ohio -- Jon Edmonson (Augustana College) & Dr. Cathy Almquist
• Male – Male competition in the wolf spider, Pardosa milvina (Araneae; Lycosidae)-- Patrick Sutton (Belmont-Abbey College) & Dr. Ann Rypstra