Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B503141/1
Can Metapopulation Theory describe the Regional Dynamics of Plants
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor J Bullock, NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), NERC CEH - Dorset
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor R. S. Hails, The National Trust, Swindon
- Grant held at:
- NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), NERC CEH - Dorset
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Conservation Ecology
- Population Ecology
- Abstract:
- Metapopulation theory involves the study of colonisation and extinction of populations of a species over whole landscapes. It has shown that the populations of many animals (especially small species with precise habitat requirements) often go extinct, but frequent colonisation of empty habitat patches maintains the group of populations (the metapopulation). The theory has been highly influential in encouraging ecologists to study the processes that govern this turnover of populations, such as movement of individuals, causes of local extinction, and the patterns of habitat patches in a landscape. It has also proved important in understanding and predicting particular human impacts on biodiversity, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, the ability of species to respond to climate change and the spread of non-native species. However, the theory has been controversial. While it is accepted generally that many small animals, such as insects, amphibians, birds and small mammals show metapopulation dynamics, plant ecologists are divided about the utility of the concept. This controversy is due to the lack of good data on metapopulation processes, such as seed movement, long-term survival of seed in the soil, and characterising habitat patches. We propose a study in which we will collect appropriate data at the landscape scale for two contrasting plant species and will investigate the dynamics suggested by these data using models of differing complexity.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B503141/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £250,276
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £139,535 | £11,767 | £18,230 | £80,745 |
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