Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C507845/1
Plant responses to abiotic stress at range margins: mechanisms and limits to adaptation.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor WE Kunin, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor DR Westhead, University of Leeds, Inst of Molecular & Cellular Biology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor PE Urwin, University of Leeds, Ctr for Plant Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr AC Cuming, University of Leeds, Ctr for Plant Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor WP Quick, University of Sheffield, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor TA Burke, University of Sheffield, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor RK Butlin, University of Sheffield, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr JN Keen, University of Leeds, Institute of Membrane & Systems Biology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor FI Woodward, University of Sheffield, School of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor J Slate, University of Sheffield, School of Biosciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Earth
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Physiology
- Environmental Genomics
- Survey & Monitoring
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Systematics & Taxonomy
- Population Ecology
- Conservation Ecology
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Populations at the margins of a species' distribution are of interest for a variety of reasons: to understand why a species' range extends so far but no further, we need to deduce what properties of the environment at a range margin prevent the species from spreading further. These limits are particularly puzzling in an evolutionary context: if the species can adapt to local conditions, why don't distributions continue to expand over time? If we compare related species, why do some have wider distributions than other? How will species' distributions change in response to changes in climate or land use? We will examine ecological, physiological and molecular responses of the arctic/alpine plant, Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea, to controlled and natural environmental challenges. We will test for local adaptations by populations growing near the margins of the species' latitudinal and elevational range, and look for evidence of ongoing evolutionary change in these traits, and for the processes limiting such adaptation: either a lack of necessary genetic variation or strong gene flow from other areas. As this species is closely related to the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, we have many modern tools at our disposal and we can test whether well-studied stress responses found in this widespread species correspond closely to those observed in its close relatives. We will also examine a group of other closely related species with contrasting geographical ranges, to test whether the physiological or molecular properties of a species can help explain its distribution.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Feb 2005 - 31 Jan 2009
- Value:
- £757,404 Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C507845/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Post Genomics
This grant award has a total value of £757,404
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £384,279 | £7,787 | £159,552 | £29,017 | £176,767 |
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