Objectif Ecosystem services (ES) have risen to prominence as a motivation for conserving biodiversity. The role of biodiversity in ES is however complex and depends on the intricate ways in which the components of ecosystems interact. We have long been aware that “tinkering” with one part of an ecosystem can have unforeseen consequences elsewhere in that system, as effects are transmitted through the network of biological interactions. Advances in network theory, and empirical studies, are now providing insight into how these complex ecological systems operate, and how influencing one part of a network can have consequences for the entire system. NETWORK will bring together scientist with expertise in the empirical (UK), theoretical (France) and applied (South Africa) aspects that are required to make the transition from fundamental ecology to practice possible. It will focus on a proof-of-concept case study on the interactions between mango plantations and surrounding natural ecosystems. Natural vegetation near farmland can sustain populations of natural enemies of pest insects and of pollinators and thereby provide an important ecosystem service but can also be a source of the pest insects themselves (as farmers believe is the case in the mango system). A dynamic ecological network approach will be employed in this project to quantify these opposing effects in an important tropical crop (mango) under different management conditions. The project will be one of the first studies to take an in-depth ecological look at the tradeoffs between ES and the costs of natural systems, by studying the dynamics of, and interactions between, all the component species in the network. This will give insight into the quantitative effect of the natural ecosystem on crop production, and the development of methodology for testing alternative management strategies in silico to aid informed decision making. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactionsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturenatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Thème(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES - Marie Curie Action "International Research Staff Exchange Scheme" Appel à propositions FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MC-IRSES - International research staff exchange scheme (IRSES) Coordinateur THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER Contribution de l’UE € 90 300,00 Adresse THE QUEEN'S DRIVE NORTHCOTE HOUSE EX4 4QJ Exeter Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région South West (England) Devon Devon CC Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Samantha Irish (Ms.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITE PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE - PARIS 6 France Contribution de l’UE € 77 700,00 Adresse Place Jussieu 4 75252 PARIS Voir sur la carte Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Ouerdia Oumohand (Prof.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée