Global changes in metacommunity context: linking dispersal, traits, novel interactions, and ecosystem functioning

Global changes in metacommunity context: linking dispersal, traits, novel interactions, and ecosystem functioning

Description of the granted funding

Anthropogenic global changes such as drought and nutrient enrichment are projected to cause major losses of species and declines in diversity with consequences on ecosystem functioning and services. However, local plant communities around the world show disparate responses to these global changes, making predicting difficult, and information about reasons for these varying responses is critically needed. We will examine how the effects of experimentally imposed drought and nutrient enrichment on diversity and ecosystem functioning depend on habitat connectivity and size, grazing, abiotic environmental conditions, and species' traits related dispersal and competitive ability for resources in local habitats. This knowledge is key to resolving large-scale heterogeneity in biodiversity changes in the Anthropocene and is urgently needed for appropriately targeted conservation, restoration, and global change mitigation actions.
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Starting year

2022

End year

2026

Granted funding

Anu Eskelinen Orcid -palvelun logo
500 000 €

Funder

Research Council of Finland

Funding instrument

Academy projects

Other information

Funding decision number

351089

Fields of science

Ecology, evolutionary biology

Research fields

Ekologia, evoluutiobiologia ja ekofysiologia
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