Holly M. Martinson

Doctoral Candidate
Behavior, Ecology, Evolution & Systematics

University of Maryland
3221 Biology-Psychology Building
College Park, Maryland 20742

Email:

Research

My dissertation research focuses on factors influencing critical patch sizes, or the minimum habitat requirements for population persistence in discrete patches. Although this concept has been discussed in the theoretical literature for decades, few empirical studies have systematically tested whether thresholds exist in heterogeneous habitats and what factors influence those thresholds. Empirical research thus far has largely been limited to identifying persistence thresholds for single species, with little consideration of thresholds necessary for the persistence of particular species interactions or food web modules.

To understand how species interactions and food web structure depend upon patch size and the spatial context of those patches, I am studying the terrestrial arthropod community associated with the salt marsh grass Spartina patens. Efforts to date have demonstrated that, for well known species, how species and functional groups respond to gradients in area and connectivity can often be predicted based on known ecological traits, such as dispersal ability and gross trophic status. I am currently exploring the mechanisms leading to such density-area relationships in my system, while also testing the generality of my findings through a meta-analysis of the literature. Finally, I am complementing my field work with stable isotopic analysis of these arthropod communities to elucidate the functional consequences of variation in patch size and context.

Other research interests: I have greatly enjoyed working collaboratively on comparative insect stoichiometry through the Spatial Stoichiometry Working Group at NCEAS. Through my research assistantship, and building on my previous life in molecular biology, I am also working to identify links between ecological traits and the stoichiometry of proteomes. And, thanks to the collaboration between the Fagan lab and the Antarctic research organization, Oceanites, I have thoroughly enjoyed my recent experience as a penguin researcher.

Publications *

Ecology:

• Barbosa, P., Hines, J., Kaplan, I., Martinson, H., Szczepaniec, A. and Szendrei, Z. Associational resistance and associational susceptibility: Having right or wrong neighbors. In prep.
• Hambäck, P.A., J. Gilbert, K. Schneider, H.M. Martinson, G. Kolb, and W.F. Fagan. 2009. Effects of body size, trophic mode and larval habitat on dipteran stoichiometry: A regional comparison. Oikos 118: 615-623. PDF / abstract
• Martinson, H.M.*, K. Schneider*, J. Gilbert, J.E. Hines, P.A. Hambäck, and W.F. Fagan. 2008. Detritivory: stoichiometry of a neglected trophic level. Ecological Research 23 (3): 487-491. (*co-first authors) abstract

Molecular Biology:

• Okamura H, Garcia-Rodriguez C, Martinson H, Qin J, Virshup DM, Rao A. 2004. A conserved docking motif for CK1 binding controls the nuclear localization of NFAT1. Molecular and Cellular Biology. 24(10): 4184-4195.
• Lal A, Glazer CA, Martinson HM, Friedman HS, Archer GE, Sampson JH, Riggins GJ. 2002. Mutant epidermal growth factor receptor up-regulates molecular effectors of tumor invasion. Cancer Research. 62(12): 3335-3339.