Cel Why are there so many species in the tropics? Ecologists have no definite answer to this question. While theories explaining biodiversity maintenance have arisen in the past few decades, testing them with empirical data in tropical rainforests can be challenging because of the slow dynamics of tree communities. By focusing on bryophytes and lichens living on leaves - ‘epiphylls’ - EPIDYN aims to test the two main types of biodiversity theories in an ecological system of much faster dynamics and easier replication than tropical rain forests, while maintaining similarly high levels of biodiversity.To this end, leaves will be monitored in a tropical rainforest in Panama under different light and moisture conditions - the most limiting factors for bryophytes and lichens in tropical rainforests. In so doing, EPIDYN will be the first study to explicitly address species interactions and community dynamics among epiphyll species within leaves.Theoretical models of biodiversity maintenance in plant communities range from ‘neutral theories’ to niche-based models. In both types of models, species interactions play an important role, but the predicted outcomes differ. For example, in vegetation succession, the neutral ‘priority effect’ predicts that any first species to arrive in a new habitat will dominate, while models favoring ecological niches consider a range of species interactions, both negative (competition, allopathy) and positive (facilitation). In this project I aim to determine: (1) which are the most appropriate theoretical models to describe species interactions and successional dynamics in epiphyll communities, and (2) how the relative applicability of each model depends on environmental conditions. Using state-of-the-art spatial pattern analysis as well as innovative model testing, EPIDYN will provide an original approach to testing fundamental ecological theory in an abundant but little-researched miniature-scale ecosystem. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologyethnolichenologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyphycologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Program(-y) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Temat(-y) MSCA-IF-2015-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Zaproszenie do składania wniosków H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Koordynator PHILIPPS UNIVERSITAET MARBURG Wkład UE netto € 192 542,40 Adres BIEGENSTRASSE 10 35037 Marburg Niemcy Zobacz na mapie Region Hessen Gießen Marburg-Biedenkopf Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 192 542,40 Partnerzy (1) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE netto Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko Partner Organizacje partnerskie biorą udział w realizacji działania, jednak nie podpisują umowy o grant. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Stany Zjednoczone Wkład UE netto € 0,00 Adres JEFFERSON DRIVE 1000 20560 Washington Dc Zobacz na mapie Rodzaj działalności Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Uczestnictwo w unijnych programach w zakresie badań i innowacji Opens in new window sieć współpracy HORIZON Opens in new window Koszt całkowity € 112 812,00