A CONSORTIUM OF NINE LABORATORIES
Station d'Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis
The laboratory Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis (SEEM - USR CNRS 2936) aims at understanding ecological and evolutionary processes generating and maintaining biodiversity at several biological levels. A main objective of the laboratory is to evaluate the links between global change and biodiversity patterns. In freshwaters, the laboratory focuses on patterns of genetic diversity in dendritic networks, the use of molecular tools in invasion biology and the ecology and evolution of host-parasite interaction. The laboratory also has strong expertise in many biological models (from unicellular to birds) and has developed many innovative experimental facilities. Involved researchers are: Jean Clobert - Simon Blanchet - Géraldine Loot
Evolution et Diversité Biologique
EDB aims at understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that generate and maintain the biological diversity of individuals, populations and communities. By focusing on the interactions between organisms, the laboratory’s objectives are to: evaluate and characterize biodiversity, study the mechanism of change in biodiversity and evaluate the role of selection in populations and speciation. The different approaches include modelling, molecular evolution, evolution of long-lasting interactions, behavioral ecology or evolution complex quantitative traits. The research teams use both theoretical and molecular tools in connection with data gathered through observation and field testing. Researchers involved: Julien Cote, Jean-Louis Hemptinne
UMR BOREA - Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques
A growing number of ecologists embrace a balanced view of community ecology that integrates regional and historical processes, as well as species interactions within local habitats. This broadened perspective is largely based on non-experimental, comparative approaches that frequently use “natural experiments” for identifying factors shaping community structure. Strictly freshwater organisms are particularly well suited to this type of study since, rivers (or lakes), are to some extent independent entities that could be used in comparative analysis to explore the factors that shape community organization between and within them. In our team we use this natural experiment framework to analyze the relative role of local, regional and continental features in determining community structure. In a more applied context we use this framework to answer questions that are currently being asked by society including the spread of alien invasive species, and the effects of global climate changes and natural habitats fragmentation on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity. Researcher involved: Rodolphe E. Gozlan
GEOMAR - Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes
A growing number of ecologists embrace a balanced view of community ecology that integrates regional and historical processes, as well as species interactions withiThe research unit Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes in GEOMAR (Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel) integrates ecological and evolutionary approaches. Using state of the art molecular techniques, we address questions dealing with rapid evolution of phytoplankton, host-parasite coevolution in fish, fisheries induced evolution and invasive species. The ongoing genetic/genomic revolution allows us to characterize critical genetic polymorphisms underlying phenotypic change even in non-model organisms. Applied projects deal with cataloguing the diversity of life (fishbase), sustainable approaches to aquaculture and new tools for preventing fish disease. Our group is part of the Excellence Cluster “The Future Ocean”. The newly open lab for Evolutionary and conservation genetics at Queen Mary, University of London, uses evolutionary theory to establish science driven conservation programs. Researchers involved: Thorsten Reusch, Christophe Eizaguirre
Umea University - Department of Ecological and Environmental Sciences
The department offers a unique breadth of research and education in ecology, physical geography, paleolimnology and environmental health. Around 55 senior scientists and their research groups cover academic research in ecology, biogeochemistry and paleolimnology. Performed research can coarsely be classified into the broad disciplines of ecology, environmental change and physical geography. It covers our nordic ecosystems as well as tropical ecosystems. EES offers about 10 new PhD positions yearly for graduate studies in ecology, physical geography or environmental science. In addition three different undergraduate study programmes and two Master programmes (Ecology and Geoecology), and a wide range of courses for approximately 420 full-time students are hosted. Researcher involved: Tomas Brodin.
Conservation Ecology and Environmental Sciences Group - Bornemouth University
Across the Conservation Ecology and environmental Sciences group, the research delivered is embedded within a broad portfolio of research focusing on conservation and environmental sciences. Our aim is to increase understanding of the spatial impacts of environmental change on biodiversity dynamics and processes. In this context, the group holistic ecosystemic approach plays a crucial role, not only in providing the data sets needed to explore spatial and temporal changes in the environment, but to generate the outputs needed to inform policy and practice.
A specific element of this research focuses on understanding how parasites influence host behaviour, sexual selection and population dynamics in the context of non-native parasites impact on native biodiversity and parasite mediated speciation. Using a multidisciplinary approach (i. e. epidemiology, pathology, ecology and molecular biology), the research aim to establish the risks posed by non-native parasites. A key novel parasite under study has been Sphaerothecum destruens a fungal-like parasite that represent a major environmental risk (http://therosetteagent.com/). Researcher involved: Demetra Andreou. Self-funded partner.
A specific element of this research focuses on understanding how parasites influence host behaviour, sexual selection and population dynamics in the context of non-native parasites impact on native biodiversity and parasite mediated speciation. Using a multidisciplinary approach (i. e. epidemiology, pathology, ecology and molecular biology), the research aim to establish the risks posed by non-native parasites. A key novel parasite under study has been Sphaerothecum destruens a fungal-like parasite that represent a major environmental risk (http://therosetteagent.com/). Researcher involved: Demetra Andreou. Self-funded partner.
Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University - Departments of Biology and Fisheries Biology
Department of Fisheries Biology, Faculty of Fisheries (Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University) aims to study fish and fisheries biology in inland and marine environments. Its main objectives are to investigate all aspects of biology, ecology, systematic, anatomy, physiology, behavior, genetic structuring, populations dynamics, and sustainable fishing and conservation of aquatic living organisms. Specifically, ecological and molecular studies on understanding impact of nonnative fish species on native fauna and ecosystem functioning have been conducted in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Researchers involved: Ali Serhan Tarkan, Sevan Ağdamar. Self-funded partner.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science (Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University) aims to study flora, fauna, ecology, biodiversity, systematic, antimicrobial activity, cytogenetic, insect pathology, applied entomology, biologic control, gene expression, bacteria genetic, plant physiology, environment, cell culture, herbarium, fungi systematic, microbiology, molecular biology and genetic, zoology, and botany. Its main objectives are to investigate all aspects of biology, entomology, zoology, botany, hydrobiology, fungi, microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, ecotoxicology and sustainable environments and conservation of living organisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Specifically, systematical and ecological studies on understanding impact of insect species on fauna and ecosystem functioning have been conducted in. Researcher involved: Alper Toncuç. Self-funder partner.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science (Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University) aims to study flora, fauna, ecology, biodiversity, systematic, antimicrobial activity, cytogenetic, insect pathology, applied entomology, biologic control, gene expression, bacteria genetic, plant physiology, environment, cell culture, herbarium, fungi systematic, microbiology, molecular biology and genetic, zoology, and botany. Its main objectives are to investigate all aspects of biology, entomology, zoology, botany, hydrobiology, fungi, microbiology, ecology, molecular biology, ecotoxicology and sustainable environments and conservation of living organisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Specifically, systematical and ecological studies on understanding impact of insect species on fauna and ecosystem functioning have been conducted in. Researcher involved: Alper Toncuç. Self-funder partner.
School of Biological Sciences - University of Aberdeen
Research within the School of Biological Sciences is coordinated through the Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences (IBES). IBES undertakes both pure and applied research across the biological sciences, with a broad cross-cutting theme of understanding the fundamental biological consequences of environmental change. Our research incorporates theoretical, empirical and experimental studies that span from gene to global scales, from deep ocean to high altitude and from the Arctic to Antarctic.
Researchers involved: Justin Travis, Steve Palmer. Self-funded partner.
Researchers involved: Justin Travis, Steve Palmer. Self-funded partner.