Andrew MacDougall

Trophic Island Biogeography:

MacArthur and Wilson's classic model synthesizes a range of biogeographical processes to describe the regulation of diversity, but does not account for trophic interactions. We are testing how regional and local factors affect food web assembly in fragmented landscapes, focusing on insect-plant interactions in tallgrass prairie. (Head PI: Eric Harvey)

The Evolution of Spatial Pattern in Assembling Communities:

Most populations are non-randomly distributed, reflecting interactions between stochastic and deterministic niche-based processes that operate at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Using multi-hectare assembly experiments, we are testing how trophic dynamics, stochastic priority effects, and species sorting drive the evolution of spatial pattern in plant communities.

Global Drivers of Species Invasions:

Evidence linking invasion to the suppression of native diversity is equivocal. Local studies often describe negative associations between native diversity and invasion via competition, while regional studies often report habitat-mediated positive associations (the 'invasion paradox'). Using standardized multi-scale data from grasslands across the planet, this research tests how regional and local processes including human disturbances can be reconciled to explain the likely origins of the invasion paradox (a Nutrient Network project).

Stability-Diversity Dynamics:

This long-term study has determined that fire is critical for ecosystem function, but is highly destabilizing for populations of fire-dependent ground flora at local scales. Empirical data are being used to model the non-equilibrium dynamics of this system at local and regional spatial resolutions, illustrating 'a tale of two stabilities' defined by whether fire is present or continually suppressed (with Dr. Kevin McCann).

Plant-Pollinator Dynamics in Agricultural Landscapes:

Global pollinator declines threaten crop production, but the magnitude of pollinator collapse remains unclear. In collaboration with ALUS, this project tests how regional and local factors relating to habitat quality and farming practices influence the composition, abundance, and diversity of native pollinators on farms, and how those influences can ultimately affect yields of pollinator-dependent crops (Head PI: Caitlin Paterson).

Rodent Plagues on Prairie Diversity:

Small mammals influence diversity in many of the world's grasslands by selecting against palatable plants - the community can become dominated by the plants they mostly avoid. We are exploring how global environmental changes relating to plant invasion, trophic collapse, eutrophication, and habitat fragmentation may be magnifying the intensity of these 'rodent plagues', and the implications for ecosystem function including primary production and soil carbon dynamics (Head PI: Stefan Schneider).

Extinction:

Rarity is associated with vulnerability to extinction, yet most of the world's biological diversity is relatively uncommon in the systems where they occur. Rarity can be stabilized by a range of demographic processes that function within and across trophic levels, but many of these processes are being transformed by anthropogenic disturbances. This research explores whether stabilizing mechanisms persist despite disturbance or whether the likelihood of 'extinction debts' are increasing (with Drs. Ben Gilbert and Cort Griswold).

• Duwyn, A. & MacDougall, A.S. When anthropogenic-based disturbances overwhelm demographic persistence mechanisms. Journal of Ecology.
• Harvey, E. & MacDougall,A.S. Spatially heterogeneous perturbations homogenize the regulation of insect herbivores. American Naturalist.
• Harvey, E. & MacDougall,A.S. Isolation and insect attack in recruiting oaks. American Midland Naturalist.
• Chiuffo, M., MacDougall, A.S., & Hierro, J. Density-dependent soil feedbacks contribute to species coexistence in invaded grassland. Oecologia.
• Seabloom,E., et al. Plant species origin determines dominance and response to nutrient enrichment. Nature Communications.
• Fay,P. et al. Grassland productivity limited by multiple nutrients. Nature Plants.
• Orrock, J. et al. A continent-wide study reveals strong relationships between regional abiotic conditions and post-dispersal seed predation. Journal of Biogeography.
• Prober, S., Leff, J.W., Bates, S.T...MacDougall, A.S., et al. Plant diversity predicts beta diversity but not alpha diversity of soil microbes in grasslands worldwide. Ecology Letters.
• Stevens, C., Lind, E, et al. Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition predicts grassland primary productivity worldwide. Ecology.
• Hautier, Y., Seabloom, E., Borer, E. Adler, P., Harpole,W.S., Hillebrand,H., Lind, E., MacDougall, A.S. et al. Eutrophication weakens the stabilizing effects of diversity in natural grasslands. Nature 508: 521-525.

• BIOL*3060 - Populations, Communities and Ecosystems (Winter 2025)
• BIOL*3130 - Conservation Biology (Winter 2025)

• Felicia Syer (MSc)
• Drew Anthony (MSc)
• Michael Rogers (MSc)

• Garry Oaks Ecosystems Recovery Team 
• Nature Conservancy Canada 
• Grasslands National Park of Canada 
• Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge 
• Ecology @ Guelph