Species distributions and ecological function

Why?

Understanding how Scotland’s biodiversity is distributed and how it plays a role in sustaining ecosystems is vital for a sustainable Scotland.

Investigation of the distribution of and roles for Scottish biodiversity requires:

• What factors control the patterns of species distribution at scales from centimetres to national
• Converting information of diversity and abundance of plant and animals into functional information
• Understanding the role diversity plays in controlling ecosystem processes

Projects

• Ecological investigations of the Scottish lichen flora
• Mites – potential indicators of land use history
• Rare plants – Conserving rare species in a changing world
• Patterning of biological and functional diversity
• Environmental and management controls on species diversity, traits and ecosystem function

Outcomes

• Knowledge on the distribution and conservation of a range of key groups of biodiversity
• Characterise how patterns of species diversity are constructed for different groups,
• Relative roles of ecosystem dominants and diversity in supporting ecosystem function

Contacts

Contact: Prof. Robin Pakeman