| NSF Org: |
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | May 28, 2019 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 10, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 1907242 |
| Award Instrument: | Fellowship Award |
| Program Manager: |
Daniel Marenda
dmarenda@nsf.gov (703)292-2157 DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | July 1, 2019 |
| End Date: | June 30, 2022 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $138,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $207,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2021 = $69,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
University Park PA US 16802 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
Lawrence KS US 66045-3140 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Broadening Participation of Gr |
| Primary Program Source: |
01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2019, Broadening Participation of Groups Under-represented in Biology. The fellowship supports a research and training plan for the Fellow that will increase the participation of groups underrepresented in biology. The Fellow is being mentored by two sponsoring scientists, James D. Bever and Joy K. Ward at the University of Kansas. The research presented by the Fellow has the potential to broaden our understanding of soil microbes, as a counterbalance to atmospheric CO2 enrichment, especially in prairie ecosystems. In these habitats, monarch butterflies depend on milkweed for carbon-based chemical extracts that protect them from predators and may also have implications for cancer therapy. However, little is known as to how these carbon-based chemical extracts, termed cardenolides, may be altered in response to increase in CO2 influx. These changes may have consequences on monarch survival and food-web structure. Understanding how soil microbes may help mitigate outcomes of atmospheric CO2 enrichment, could provide insight into ecosystem sustainability. The experiments being executed by the Fellow also allow for training of undergraduates, including TRIO McNair Scholars at the University of Kansas.
Under growth-chamber conditions, atmospheric CO2 will be manipulated for a broad range of native milkweed species, native AM-fungal species and a microbial control. Response variables, including milkweed chemical extracts, will be measured using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Examination of multi-trophic responses, including native milkweed quality, native monarch larval performance, and native AM-fungal colonization rates; will reveal how CO2 enrichment may impact plant-microbe-insect interactions. This project also affords an interdisciplinary approach for mentees seeking experience in environmental microbiology, global change biology or chemical ecology. Additionally, the Fellow can inspire mentees of similar origin, including first-generation Americans (Haitian-American), community college students, as well as minorities from the inner-city (Mattapan, Boston). Through the opportunities afforded by the National Science Foundation, the Fellow will broaden participation and our understanding of microbes in global change biology.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Earth’s environment has never been static, and although environmental change is not novel, its elements and inevitability are still of high importance. Environmental change elements, such as rise in CO2 concentration, may lead to ramifications at multiple scales of biological organization, which may even disturb soil microbes, plants, and higher trophic consumers.
The aim of this project was to determine the interplay of soil ecology, plant organs, and environmental change biology. Specifically, how does enriched atmospheric CO2 induce sensitive responses in milkweed (Asclepias sp.) root morphology, root associated microbes, and/or milkweed-herbivore dynamics.
Milkweed were ideal for this study because of their interests among conservation biologists. On one hand, milkweed is an adaptive resource to monarch butterflies. On the other hand, milkweed produces cardiac glycosides, which are of importance to the pharmaceutical industry.
Results from this project revealed that when enriched atmospheric CO2 was concentrated at 3.5 times the ambient level, milkweed biomass significantly decreased, while root morphology was unaffected. In addition, it was observed that beneficial soil microbes, termed mycorrhizae, can mitigate negative CO2 induced effects, while affecting root morphology. Meanwhile, the remedial effects of mycorrhizae were much higher in milkweed of lower conservation interests (i.e., lower conservation coefficient). In addition, milkweed of higher conservation coefficient yielded more mycorrhizal structures (vesicles and spores). Conservation coefficient was a significant predictor of fungal rhizosphere diversity. In addition, an interaction with CO2 level and percent root colonization was detected for fungal rhizosphere diversity response.
Taken together, the findings of this study provide insight on environmental change at a very fine scale. The outcome of this project is specific, wherein the CO2 concentration that leads to a significant reduction in plant biomass is identified. In addition, class of microbes (i.e., mycorrhizae) that can restore adverse CO2 effect is reported. Future directions shall include milkweed herbivore response (monarch larvae) and milkweed secondary metabolite response. Moreover, a much deeper understanding of multi-trophic responses will allow predictions to be made regarding the future of the natural world.
Last Modified: 11/14/2022
Modified by: Rondy Malik
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