Objective Non-native species introductions are a major concern in Europe and globally, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem function and global economies; this will be exacerbated with climate change. Current climate change models for Europe and the UK predict: progressively warmer, wetter winters; warmer, dryer summers; an increase in extreme river flows. This is likely to increase the risk of non-native species reproductive potential and dispersal, which are key factors in establishment success. Using pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus in ambient and warm-water conditions as a case study, the Fellowship aims to: 1) Assess pumpkinseed growth and reproductive traits in nature (using methods currently employed for the species); 2) Acquire estimates of spawning event frequency in nature and in the lab to assess reproductive output (direct observation in semi-natural ponds via a novel telemetry array system, and in lab experiments, plus egg size distribution analysis on wild caught fish); 3) Determine pumpkinseed dispersal rates from floodplain water bodies into receiving streams (using drift nets to estimate propagule pressure); and 4) Develop (or improve existing) models of pumpkinseed reproductive output and dispersal (using relationships between juvenile growth and mean age at maturity, gravity models to assess the dispersal process, and GIS software to produce risk maps to aid in identifying areas at risk of biological invasion). The proposed fellowship is particularly novel in aiming to two important and timely questions relevant to the assessment of risks posed by non-native species in general, and of pumpkinseed in particular: 1) Will climate warming increase the risk of non-native fish establishing self-sustaining populations? 2) Will increased variability in precipitation and river discharge increase the risk of non-native fishes expanding their current ranges? The MC Fellow will receive invaluable training and experience, which will enhance his career prospects at home. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwarenatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartographygeographic information systemsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyichthyologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Keywords Animal ethology Animal reproduction Behavioural biology Climate change impact (Climate change) Ecosystem impact (Climate change) Ecosystem management Environmental biology Hydrobiology Invasion Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator Food and Environment Research Agency EU contribution € 178 307,05 Address Area 1A, Nobel House, Smith Square 17 SW1P 3JR LONDON United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Susan Bramford (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
