Understanding biodiversity-ecosystem function and biodiversity-stability relationships across spatial and organizational scales

Introduction

The role of biodiversity in shaping ecosystem functioning (EF) and stability (ES) is a fundamental question in ecology. The mechanisms underlying biodiversity-EF (BEF) and biodiversity-ES (BES) relations have been extensively studied, but they have been approached separately. Thus, we lack an understanding of how EF and ES relate, a particularly urgent task in the face of global environmental change.

Research Gaps

Further, most research has been conducted within single trophic communities and relatively small spatial scales. Whether the types of relations observed are scalable and applicable to multi-trophic communities is unknown.

Proposed Approach

To address these shortcomings, in GorBEEa I propose to merge BEF and BES research by focusing on:

1. Multi-trophic communities, specifically plant-pollinator interaction networks.
2. Spatial and organizational scales, ranging from local to regional scales, and from populations to communities.
3. A dynamic perspective that considers multiple temporal scales, including within day, within season, and between years.
4. A multi-functional approach, analyzing several functions on the resource side while also considering the often-neglected impact on the consumer side.
5. Understanding aspects of stability beyond temporal invariability by introducing a perturbation to the system to determine whether biodiversity in multi-trophic communities provides higher resistance and resilience values.

Significance of GorBEEa

GorBEEa represents an ambitious research programme at the intersection of population, community, ecosystem, and conservation ecology. It aims to deliver an understanding of how declining biodiversity levels influence natural ecosystem dynamics.

Applied Angle

Additionally, GorBEEa will offer an applied angle through collaborations with stakeholders to develop scientifically-informed management practices.