Functional
Traits and Ecosystem Function
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Predators
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Research in this area focuses
on studying the linkage between two important components of natural systems: pattern
in the distribution and relative abundance of species-biodiversity-and the
quantity and rate of biogeochemical cycling, resource supply, and plant
production-ecosystem function. This endeavor recognizes that
biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships should be examined in two
important dimensions. There is diversity in the functional groups of
species (plants, herbivores
and carnivores) that comprise
ecosystems. There is diversity in the kinds of species belonging to
particular functional groups as defined by the traits determining their
interactions with other species (e.g, actively
hunting predators vs. sit-and-wait ambush predators; leaf chewing herbivores
vs. sap-feeding herbivores). We use such ecologically relevant
functional traits to elucidate causal relationships between the nature of
species interactions and the net effects of these interactions on whole
ecosystem function.
Specific research projects in
this area include:
Functional
traits of both predators and herbivores and theoretical modeling (in
cooperation with Dr. Michel Loreau at
Ongoing
experimental set-up at French’s field at Yale Meyers Forest 2006-2009
