Dr. Sarah Faulwetter, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Greece, will give a talk:
“Ecosystem functioning and biological traits analysis: current trends in marine research”
Tu, 24 October 2017, 12:30 p.m.
Lecture Hall 2, UZA I, Althanstrasse 14, UZA I
ABSTRACT:
Marine ecological research is currently experiencing a shift from classical analyses of species communities towards a more mechanistic view which includes aspects of ecosystem functioning and the role of species in their environment. Traditional research in the domain of biodiversity/ecosystem functioning originates in terrestrial ecosystems and includes relationships between species richness and diverse response variables, such as productivity, trophic interactions or resilience. In marine studies, a more applied approach is prevailing, using biological traits as proxies for functioning, often with the aim to detect habitat changes, disturbances and to provide tools for ecosystem management.
This talk will give an overview of ecosystem functioning research and biological traits analyses, with a focus on the marine environment. Selected studies will be presented to illustrate different concepts and approaches, focusing on processes in vulnerable and instable ecosystems. Finally, several problems associated with current practices are outlined, providing food for thought and future research directions.
