Cel Problems to be solvedMajor threat to European landscapes is the ongoing fragmentation of habitats. This not only causes direct loss of populations but also imposes an increased risk of extinction on species living in the remaining fragments. In such situation dispersal ability becomes a critical factor as it allows exchange of individuals and genes among fragments, which is thought to partially counteract the negative effects of fragmentation. Moreover, dispersal is a prerequisite for recolonization of empty habitats and thus of utmost importance for the stability of metapopulations. As such, dispersal is a key factor in biodiversity conservation. For plant species living in a fragmented landscape, increased dispersal is thus likely to be advantageous and morphological characters that increase dispersal ability, such as larger fluff balls (pappus) in wind dispersed species, may be favoured by natural selection. However, if the process of habitat fragmentation continues, populations become increasingly isolated and can be regarded as islands in an otherwise uninhabitable area. In this situation, seeds with high dispersal ability are more likely to be wasted from the population and the next generations in the population will predominantly arise from seeds with low dispersal ability, resulting in selection for reduced dispersal potential. Consequently, this may cause the metapopulation to disintegrate into completely isolated populations, which increases the chance of inbreeding and genetic drift, and ultimately leads to extinction. Recent studies have indicated that this undesirable selection process may proceed relatively fast, and that changes in morphological characters of isolated populations already are observed within a few generations. However, we do not know to what extent this is taking place in Europe. Scientific objectives and approach The project investigates the dispersal capacity of several Compositae (Asteraceae) species, including Mycelis muralis, in European landscapes with different degrees and types of habitat fragmentation along a North-South gradient. It determines populations characteristics, amount of genetic variation, and heritable variation for seed dispersal characteristics in these populations, and tries to identify (major) genes involved in seed dispersal traits. These data are used in models describing the dynamics of metapopulations. Findings are implemented into 'simple' protocols and software for analysing the current state of endangered populations and for devising effective counter-measures. Expected impacts The results of this project will significantly contribute to understanding the dynamics of dispersal and metapopulations that are currently 'hot topics' in ecological research. In this project we determine the variation in seed dispersal traits in natural populations, in relation to the fragmentation of the habitat. Models will then predict under what circumstances dispersal-related traits are selected against. The implications of the results for nature managers and policy makers consist of improved technology to predict and manage natural areas.Analysis of the distribution of variation in dispersal-related traits to degree of habitat fragmentation and population size of several species: Carduus nutans, Centaurea corymbosa, Centaurea maculosa, Cirsium dissectum, Crepis sancta, Crepis triasii, Inula conyzae, Leontodon taraxacoides, Mycelis muralis, Senecio inaequidens. - Analytical models (scientific paper) - Data sets describing phenotypic variation in dispersal- related traits in several species - Heritability estimates for dispersal-related characters in Mycelis muralis - Models of evolutionary processes (described in scientific papers) - A spatially explicit model incorporating heritable components of dispersal ability (described in manuscript and sent to Commission on CD) - QTL analysis of the dispersal-related characters in Cichorium - Set of 10 microsatellite markers of Mycelis muralis - Short glossy Brochure with objective, context and users of the project, work to be carried out, and expected deliverables was produced in 2001 - User requirement document (URD) - Website is on line since 2000 - Workshop 1 with end-users was held in Wageningen, the Netherlands, on 6 November 2000 - Workshop 2 with end-users was held in Wageningen, the Netherlands, on 8 September 2003. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiodiversity conservationnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems Program(-y) FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002" Temat(-y) 1.1.4.-2. - Key action Global Change, Climate and Biodiversity Zaproszenie do składania wniosków Data not available System finansowania CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Koordynator PLANT RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL B.V. Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Droevendaalsesteeg 1 WAGENINGEN Niderlandy Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Uczestnicy (4) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko CENTRE DE RECERCA ECOLOGIA I APLICACIONS FORESTALS Hiszpania Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Univ. Autonoma de Barcelona - Edifici C 08193 BELLATERRA Zobacz na mapie Linki Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER II - SCIENCES ET TECHNIQUES DU LANGUEDOC Francja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Place Eugène Bataillon 34095 MONTPELLIER Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN Niderlandy Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 30,Kerklaan 30 9750 AA HAREN GN Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych UNIVERSITY OF UMEAA Szwecja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Universitetsomradet, Hus H 901 87 Umeaa Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych
