Abstract
Dispersal between suitable sites is a key factor in the preservation of biodiversity for the future. In historical rural landscapes grasslands were large, and livestock and people contributed to the dispersal of plants creating high species-richness in grasslands. Recent land-cover and land use changes threatens biodiversity as habitats becomes smaller, and spatially and functionally more isolated. Little is known on how spatial patterns interact with past and present land use and the effects on plant dispersal. In this project a model platform will be created and plant dispersal will be modelled at a landscape scale. Plant species field data (occurrence/abundance) from managed and abandoned grassland habitats will be used together with past and present spatial patterns and land use dynamics (including the movement of livestock, hay and people). Species with different dispersal traits will be selected and used for modelling if dispersal is inhibited or promoted in different types of landscapes and in future management scenarios. Internationally unique historical species and landscape data will be used for model validation. Results will provide a deeper understanding on how past and present land use influence species dispersal and diversity in fragmented landscapes with a high human impact. The project applies for an open post-doc position for two years. This project is highly relevant for biodiversity conservation and theoretical landscape ecology in all types of landscapes.
Sweden