Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2000/01025

Invasion sequence and the role of natural enemies in shaping community assemblages and their dynamics.

Principal Investigator:: Dr S Sait, University of Liverpool, Sch of Biological Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Professor B Grenfell, University of Cambridge, Zoology
Grant held at:: University of Liverpool, Sch of Biological Sciences

ENRIs:: Natural Resource Management; Environmental Risks and Hazards; Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Population Ecology; Behavioural Ecology; Community Ecology

Abstract:: We will combine theoretical and experimental approaches to explore the role of natural enemies in facilitating the coexistence of competing species, focussing especially on the impact of assembly sequence, or invasion, on insect community stability and dynamics. The experimental core will monitor long-term populations of competing moth species and their interactions with natural enemies that differ markedly in life history strategies. Using mathematical and statistical time-series models, we will investigate the underlying mechanisms that generate the observed patterns, and explore the link between dynamics and dimensionality; enemies and hosts with tightly coupled dynamics are predicted to increase the dimensionality of the system, reducing competitive pressure and promoting coexistence; those that do not increase dimensionality will fail to do so.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £146,496

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment	Total - Indirect Costs
£83,168	£1,513	£6,426	£17,132	£38,258

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