Project description
A closer look at biodiversity-ecosystem dynamics
Biodiversity plays a critical role in shaping ecosystem functioning (EF) and ecosystem stability (ES). While the mechanisms underlying biodiversity-EF (BEF) and biodiversity-ES (BES) relationships are extensively studied, the relationship between EF and ES remains unclear. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the types of relations observed are scalable and applicable to multi-trophic communities. Most research has focussed on single trophic communities and relatively small spatial scales. The EU funded GorBEEa project will merge BEF and BES research across spatial and organisational scales in multi-trophic communities. The aim is to understand how declining biodiversity levels influence natural ecosystem dynamics. The project will consider multiple temporal scales and analyse several functions on the resource side.
Objective
The role of biodiversity in shaping ecosystem functioning (EF) and stability (ES) is a fundamental question in ecology. The mechanisms underlying biodiversity-EF (BEF) and biodiversity-ES (BES) relations have been extensively studied, but they have been approached separately, and we thus lack an understanding of how EF and ES relate, a particularly urgent task in the face of global environmental change. Further, most research has been conducted within single trophic communities and relatively small spatial scales, and whether the types of relations observed are scalable and applicable to multi-trophic communities is unknown.
To address these shortcomings, in GorBEEa I propose to merge BEF and BES research (i) within multi-trophic communities, in this case plant-pollinator interaction networks, (ii) across spatial and organizational scales (from local to regional scales, and from populations, to communities), (iii) taking a dynamic perspective that considers multiple temporal scales (within day, within season, between years), and (iv) following a multi-functional approach, analysing several functions on the resource side, but also considering the many times neglected impact on the consumer side. Further, (v) to understand aspects of stability beyond temporal invariability, I will introduce a perturbation to the system, to understand whether biodiversity in multi-trophic communities provides higher resistance and resilience values.
GorBEEa represents an ambitious research programme at the intersect of population, community, ecosystem, and conservation ecology, that will deliver an understanding of how declining biodiversity levels influence natural ecosystem dynamics. But it will also offer an applied angle, through collaborations with stakeholders to develop scientifically-informed management practices.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
ERC - Support for frontier research (ERC)Host institution
48940 Leioa
Spain