Potential effects of climate change on species invasion and ecosystem function
Potential effects of climate change on species invasion and ecosystem function
We investigated the effects of climate change on the Biodiversity-Ecosystem Functioning relationship. The study took advantage of the water-filled leaves of S. purpurea of a cold, high altitude site in Switzerland. Species-rich and species-poor versions of these communities were transplanted to a warmer, low altitude site to simulate climate change. We then invaded these communities with a novel protozoa species. We quantified ecosystem function (prey breakdown) of these communities to determine the potential effect of climate change on species invasion and ecosystem function.
Collaborators: Tom E. Miller, Sarah M. Gray, Alice Winn, and Louis-Félix Bersier
Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Scientific Exchange Grant