Biodiversity, for example the numbers of species, is required for proper ecosystem function. Many species are rare as they occur infrequently and in low numbers. However, loss of rare species can reduce an ecosystem's function because such taxa can provide essential and diverse services. This project determines whether loss of rare gut bacteria affects the services they provide to the animal host. We study gut bacteria as their services are important for health, such as producing metabolites, communicating with the host's immune system, and helping the host resist colonisation by parasites. To address this issue, we use synthetic gut microbiota (controlled mixtures of bacteria) that are inoculated into microcosms and a small rodent, the bank vole. One of the key outcomes of the project will be a better understanding about how biodiversity loss in gut bacteria affects wildlife, and possibly human, health.

2024

2028