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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/N000951/1

The ecosystem response to urban transformation: the impact of rapid urbanisation on the social demographics of ecologically-significant insect species

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor S Sumner, University of Bristol, Biological Sciences
Science Area:
Terrestrial
Overall Classification:
Unknown
ENRIs:
Biodiversity
Science Topics:
Animal behaviour
Abstract:
Landscapes across the world are undergoing rapid urbanisation. We will investigate the role of urban living in the life of an ecologically prominent social insect, wasps of the genus Polistes in Brazil. Do urbanised landscapes host higher densities of colonies? Does life in artificial environments recalibrate the demographics of social species? Does this have implications for social behaviour? Is an urbanised world a new ecological context to which social behaviour must adapt? Are ancestral evolutionary strategies helped or hindered by the transition to urbanisation? We will address fascinating questions such as these through thorough behavioural analyses of Brazil's polistine wasps, using a host of cutting-edge technologies - including advanced sociogenomics (the study of social behaviour and the genome) and intricate radio-tagging of wasps in the wild.
Period of Award:
1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2016
Value:
£15,204
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/N000951/1
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Directed (RP) - NR1
Grant Status:
Closed
Programme:
RP Coordination

This grant award has a total value of £15,204  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

DI - Other CostsException - Other CostsDI - T&S
£10,081£2,300£2,823

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