Ecology of establishment

Informations

Funding country

Hungary

Acronym

-

URL

http://bio.univet.hu

Start date

2/1/2003

End date

12/31/2006

Budget

21,623 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

Large-scale distribution of species is determined by a multitude of factors, such as geology, climate, history, and, more recently, human imp act. Improved means of transportation, and worldwide travel have brought organisms from one eco system into another one, between which virtually there has been no species interchange in the past. Accidentally or deliberately introduced species, after successful colonization may be come invasive, and cause serious economical damage. For soil animals the most likely mean of introduction is through transportation of exotic plants from nurseries and greenhouses. Global climate change can also facilitate dispersal and probable invasion of exotics. These changes are fast on an evolutionary time scale; therefore only species capable of quickly adapting to new conditions will be successful in colonizing a new area. The proposed research will utilize the previously collected information’s, too. We have chosen species form three taxa, Oligochaeta, Isopoda, Collembola, each being important in decomposition processes. We will look at ecological tolerance and life history strategies (most importantly reproductive parameters) in model populations of widely and narrowly distributed species-pairs. We will conduct laboratory and field observations and experiments on developmental stability and stress tolerance, utilizing methodology of fluctuating asymmetry and phenotypic plasticity. Such plasticity, especially in life history parameters, is of high adaptive value therefore it might facilitate successful colonization.