Mia G. Park MS candidate

Department of Natural Resources
Fernow Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 255-3191 Fax: (607) 255-0349

Research Interests: Wetland ecology, impacts of invasive plants on ecosystem health, and use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of ecological impacts of system perturbation are my main research interests. Only second to direct habitat alteration by humans, invasive species threaten the integrity of native ecosystems around the world (Mack et al. 2000). Wetland ecosystems are unique in their semi-aquatic nature and benefit both environmental and human health by providing services such as water purification, flood abatement and the support of an abundance of diverse and unique biota (Sharitz and Batzer, 1999). For these reasons, I am interested in studying the potential negative impacts non-native plant invasions may incur on wetlands.

Approach:

To better understand the ecological implications of non-native plant invasions, I am specifically interested in using bioassessment as a measure of disturbance. The practice of using biotic indicators, such as macroinvertebrates, to measure impacts of change acknowledges the interdependent relationship that exists between biota and ecosystem processes. Wetlands are detrital based systems, meaning wetland food chains are fueld by wetland plant material that is consumed and processed by microbes and detritivore invertebrates (Mitsch & Gosselink, 1993). In turn, these microbes and detritivores provide food for higher trophic levels such as predatory insects, spiders, fish and birds (Sharitz and Batzer, 1999). The central positioning of macroinvertebrates in wetland food webs make them a crucial player in the functioning of wetland systems (Sharitz and Batzer, 1999). Bioassessment involves characterizing and comparing (in my case) macroinvertebrate communities associated with native and non-native flora. Characterizing differences between native and non-native plant material, biomass and habitat are also essential to interpretation of macroinvertebrate data.

Projects: My master’s research project focuses on measuring the ecological implications of invasion of an introduced haplotype of Phragmites australis into native Phragmites habitat in freshwater wetlands of northeastern North American (Raj, please link to Phragmites). Although considered the same species and very similar in appearance to native genotypes, the non-native haplotype has observable differences from its native couterpart. Differences in morphology, phenology, biomass production, and litter accumulation suggest that the nonindigenous haplotype may alter ecosystem services such as habitat for wildlife and ecosystem processes such as decomposition and nutrient cycling (Raj: please link to morphological differences). I will be using macroinvertebrates as indicators to assess whether replacement of native Phragmites by a non-native haplotype alters biotic communities. Experimental design will involve characterizing macroinvertebrate communities associated with native and non-native Phragmites systems, as well as, characterizing the detrital systems themselves by measuring litter quality, quantity, and timing of input. I will be experimentally assessing how litter of native and introduced genotypes will be colonized by macroinvertebrates as well. Most of my research will be conducted at the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex, located north of Cayuga Lake, NY.