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 natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological morphologycomparative morphologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS8 - ERC Advanced Grant - Evolutionary, population and environmental biology Call for proposal ERC-2010-AdG_20100317 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution UNIVERSITAT ZURICH EU contribution € 464 304,85 Address RAMISTRASSE 71 8006 Zurich Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Jordi Bascompte (Prof.) Principal investigator Jordi Bascompte Sacrest (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAT ZURICH Switzerland EU contribution € 464 304,85 Address RAMISTRASSE 71 8006 Zurich See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Jordi Bascompte (Prof.) Principal investigator Jordi Bascompte Sacrest (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution € 1 235 695,15 Address CALLE SERRANO 117 28006 Madrid See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Guillermo Sanjuanbenito (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
