The Environment Institute present a seminar by Xavier Lambin from the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Aberdeen, UK on Monday 26th November 2012.
Photo courtesy of The University of Aberdeen
Xavier’s talk titled, “Continent -wide dampening of population cycles in keystone herbivores; patterns, likely processes and consequences for predators” will first present empirical and modelling developments on the demographic basis for vole cycles based on our long term studies. Xavier will then show how seasonality and the destabilising influences of pathogen host interaction or changes in herbivore-induced changes in plant quality might interact with seasonality in the environment to lead to cyclic dynamics.
Next, using the largest compilation of time series of vole abundances yet assembled, Xavier will present new analyses that demonstrate consistent cycle amplitude dampening associated with a reduction in winter vole population growth, and suggesting that regulatory processes responsible for cyclicity have not been lost. The underlying syndrome of change throughout Europe, species and ecosystems suggests a common climatic driver acting over very large scales. Our analyses suggest increasing periods of low amplitude small herbivore population fluctuations are expected in the future, with cascading impacts on trophic webs across ecosystems. Finally, Xavier will illustrate the likely impact of changes on prey dynamics on the dynamics of birds of prey using our long terms studies on the demography of Tawny owls.
When: Monday 26th November
Where: Napier Building, Room G03, The University of Adelaide
Time: 1:10pm-2pm
