Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SMILE (The role of functional redundancy on stability mechanisms in multi-level ecosystem processes face to climatic extremes)
Période du rapport: 2021-09-16 au 2023-09-15
The project, led by Dr. Felícia M. Fischer in collaboration with Dr. Francesco de Bello, addresses the critical questions arising from the current climatic and biodiversity crisis. Specifically, it investigates how natural ecosystems respond to extreme climatic events, focusing on the role of functional traits within biological communities and the concept of Functional Redundancy (FR). FR, defined as having multiple species with similar ecological functions but different environmental preferences, is explored for its potential to confer resistance and resilience to climatic extremes.
With climate change altering temperature and precipitation patterns, understanding how ecosystems respond to extreme conditions becomes crucial. The project aims to identify the characteristics of communities that enable them to resist and recover from adversities, maintaining natural processes and providing ecosystem services. The study's significance lies in its contribution to the broader understanding of ecological stability and its implications for the maintenance of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and services essential for humanity.
The main objective is to conduct various tests on hypotheses related to biodiversity and FR mechanisms, particularly using the functional trait approach. The project is organized into four working packages: global dataset collection, greenhouse experimentation, communication activities, and training. The specific questions addressed include the impact of functional and phylogenetic relatedness on plant community dynamics, the exploration of community assembly rules through biodiversity experiments, the importance of FR in ecology and conservation, the design of better Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments, and how the functional structure of plant communities affects ecosystem multifunctionality stability. Overall, the project seeks to generate scientific knowledge to address challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, aligning with European strategies for science, technology, and innovation.
With climate change altering temperature and precipitation patterns, understanding how ecosystems respond to extreme conditions becomes crucial. The project aims to identify the characteristics of communities that enable them to resist and recover from adversities, maintaining natural processes and providing ecosystem services. The study's significance lies in its contribution to the broader understanding of ecological stability and its implications for the maintenance of biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and services essential for humanity.
The main objective is to conduct various tests on hypotheses related to biodiversity and FR mechanisms, particularly using the functional trait approach. The project is organized into four working packages: global dataset collection, greenhouse experimentation, communication activities, and training. The specific questions addressed include the impact of functional and phylogenetic relatedness on plant community dynamics, the exploration of community assembly rules through biodiversity experiments, the importance of FR in ecology and conservation, the design of better Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments, and how the functional structure of plant communities affects ecosystem multifunctionality stability. Overall, the project seeks to generate scientific knowledge to address challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, aligning with European strategies for science, technology, and innovation.
The work was organized in different working packages addressing the main aims and reseaerch questions of the project
Work Package 1: Global Approach (Q1)
The project examined the influence of functional and phylogenetic relatedness on temporal synchrony in plant communities using a global dataset of permanent plots. Results indicated a negative relationship between synchrony and relatedness, suggesting that similar species tend to fluctuate more synchronously. This study, conducted during a secondment in France, contributes to ecological theory and enhances understanding of compensatory dynamics in response to climatic fluctuations.
Work Package 2: Experimental Approach (Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5)
Originally focused on community assembly rules, this package expanded to explore Functional Redundancy (FR), design Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments, and investigate the impact of plant community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality stability. Notable outcomes include a conceptual model for community assembly, a published manuscript on FR, ongoing work on experiment design tools, and a dataset on a greenhouse experiment assessing the stability of diverse plant communities during extreme drought.
Work Package 3 focused on communication and dissemination, primarily achieved through event organization. Two key events were hosted: a special session at the 65th IAVS symposium in Madrid and a thematic retreat on temporal dynamics in ecology. Efforts to translate the symposium session into a special issue faced challenges. The communication plan, including plain-language articles and posts, experienced delays due to the unpublished status of project manuscripts. Visibility efforts towards supporting early-career scientists were performed within the International Association for Vegetation Science.
Work Package 4: Training and Knowledge Exchange
Computational and statistical framework training occurred during a secondment in Montpellier, connecting data from various sources and involving collaboration with the University of South Bohemia. Training on Mediterranean plants and drought physiology aimed to expand the researcher's expertise. Knowledge transfer in soil microorganisms involved interdisciplinary collaboration with partners from the host institution and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain. Event organization, dissemination, and communication of scientific results were realized through various activities, such as teaching courses and presenting seminars.
Exploitation and Dissemination Plan Overview
The exploitation and dissemination plan outlined intentions to publish high-impact papers. While some publications are pending, the researcher actively participated in conferences, presenting results and organizing special sessions. Seminars were conducted at various institutions, sharing insights and findings. The dissemination plan, including plain-language articles and news releases, faced delays but remains a future goal. Overall, the researcher's active engagement in conferences and collaborative events demonstrates a commitment to sharing project outcomes and fostering knowledge exchange.
Work Package 1: Global Approach (Q1)
The project examined the influence of functional and phylogenetic relatedness on temporal synchrony in plant communities using a global dataset of permanent plots. Results indicated a negative relationship between synchrony and relatedness, suggesting that similar species tend to fluctuate more synchronously. This study, conducted during a secondment in France, contributes to ecological theory and enhances understanding of compensatory dynamics in response to climatic fluctuations.
Work Package 2: Experimental Approach (Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5)
Originally focused on community assembly rules, this package expanded to explore Functional Redundancy (FR), design Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments, and investigate the impact of plant community structure on ecosystem multifunctionality stability. Notable outcomes include a conceptual model for community assembly, a published manuscript on FR, ongoing work on experiment design tools, and a dataset on a greenhouse experiment assessing the stability of diverse plant communities during extreme drought.
Work Package 3 focused on communication and dissemination, primarily achieved through event organization. Two key events were hosted: a special session at the 65th IAVS symposium in Madrid and a thematic retreat on temporal dynamics in ecology. Efforts to translate the symposium session into a special issue faced challenges. The communication plan, including plain-language articles and posts, experienced delays due to the unpublished status of project manuscripts. Visibility efforts towards supporting early-career scientists were performed within the International Association for Vegetation Science.
Work Package 4: Training and Knowledge Exchange
Computational and statistical framework training occurred during a secondment in Montpellier, connecting data from various sources and involving collaboration with the University of South Bohemia. Training on Mediterranean plants and drought physiology aimed to expand the researcher's expertise. Knowledge transfer in soil microorganisms involved interdisciplinary collaboration with partners from the host institution and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain. Event organization, dissemination, and communication of scientific results were realized through various activities, such as teaching courses and presenting seminars.
Exploitation and Dissemination Plan Overview
The exploitation and dissemination plan outlined intentions to publish high-impact papers. While some publications are pending, the researcher actively participated in conferences, presenting results and organizing special sessions. Seminars were conducted at various institutions, sharing insights and findings. The dissemination plan, including plain-language articles and news releases, faced delays but remains a future goal. Overall, the researcher's active engagement in conferences and collaborative events demonstrates a commitment to sharing project outcomes and fostering knowledge exchange.
The SMILE project has advanced ecological understanding by exploring the synchrony of plant species dynamics and introducing nuanced insights into compensatory dynamics and insurance effects. In Work Package 2, the project surpassed conventional approaches by developing a conceptual model integrating experiments and simulations. Additionally, a new tool for designing trait-based biodiversity experiments addresses issues of non-independence between functional diversity and dominant trait values.
Anticipated outcomes include insights from ongoing greenhouse experiments on plant community responses to extreme drought (Q5). The preparation of a manuscript on designing better Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments (Q4) will provide a practical tool for researchers. The project's impact on the grantee's career is evident in two project proposals, demonstrating the project's tangible influence.
The project contributes to addressing the climatic and biodiversity crisis, offering insights crucial for conservation. The development of experimental design tools benefits the broader scientific community, enhancing the reliability of biodiversity studies. Societal implications involve promoting sustainable environmental practices and aligning with international initiatives, fostering transnational cooperation for global advancements in functional ecology and ecosystem processes.
Anticipated outcomes include insights from ongoing greenhouse experiments on plant community responses to extreme drought (Q5). The preparation of a manuscript on designing better Trait-Based-Biodiversity-Experiments (Q4) will provide a practical tool for researchers. The project's impact on the grantee's career is evident in two project proposals, demonstrating the project's tangible influence.
The project contributes to addressing the climatic and biodiversity crisis, offering insights crucial for conservation. The development of experimental design tools benefits the broader scientific community, enhancing the reliability of biodiversity studies. Societal implications involve promoting sustainable environmental practices and aligning with international initiatives, fostering transnational cooperation for global advancements in functional ecology and ecosystem processes.