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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Robustness of The Web of Life in the Face of Global Change

Objective

Recent work on complex networks has provided a theoretical framework to unravel the structure of the Web of Life. Yet, we still know little on the implications of network architecture for the robustness of beneficial network services such as pollination of crop plants. In this proposal, I intend to move beyond current studies of global environmental change that have mainly focused on its consequences for the abundance, phenology, and geographic distributions of independent species, to embrace effects for the network of interactions among species. My strategy to tackle this overall goal is through a synthetic and interdisciplinary approach that combines theory, meta-analysis, and experiment. First, I will integrate a large dataset of ecological networks with phylogenies and life-history traits to simulate the rate and shape of loss of functional groups. Second, I will set up an experimental design to address how two important ecosystem services, pollination and control of insect pests, decline with network disassembly. Third, I will explore early-warning signals of network collapse that may predict the proximity of a critical threshold in the driving forces of global change. My approach can provide a starting point for assessing the community-wide consequences of the current biodiversity crisis.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2010-AdG_20100317
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant

Host institution

UNIVERSITAT ZURICH
EU contribution
€ 464 304,85
Address
RAMISTRASSE 71
8006 Zurich
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (2)

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