Species interactions and ecological functions

Biodiversity is crucial since different species provide a wide variety of ecological functions, which in turn, facilitate a healthy ecosystem. Nevertheless, past studies have largely focused on the ecological functions provided by a single species, how multiple species interactions contribute to ecological functions remain largely unknown. 

• In our field study sites, we test how mites enable burying beetle's ecological functions, including carcass decomposition, nutrient cycling, and impacts on plant growth. This work is led by Wei-Jiun Lin.

• Burying beetles are also key ecosystem engineers that bury carcasses underground to form nests for their offspring, potentially building a thermal stable environment for their offspring. We aim to explore the behavioural responses in carcass burial in response to changing environments, led by Yu-Shieng Huang and Yi-Ta Wu.