European biodiversity and ecosystem scientists merge and gear up for long-ter...(r by comparing how these two groups of s...)

Date:10/28/2008

r by comparing how these two groups of species respond to changes in the environment," said Fischer. "However, biodiversity research cannot be successful if it limits itself to the species level. Clearly, evolutionary biology must be integrated within innovative biodiversity research. Moreover, biological interactions need to be considered, including pollination, seed dispersal, predation, and decomposition, all constituting integral elements of ecosystem functioning."

All these objectives can only be met through a common approach linking suitable local projects on the ground across the whole of Europe. "It was generally agreed that functional biodiversity research requires a network of field sites distributed across Europe to cover different types of habitats, landscapes and land-uses," said Fischer. "Furthermore it was recognised that all facilities must allow the conduction of long-term research because of the non-linear, slow and often delayed response of ecological systems." In the long run, an integration of the network into currently emerging European research initiatives such as ANAAE and LIFEWATCH will allow the full potential for synergy to be realised.

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Contact: Markus Fischer fischerm@rz.uni-potsdam.de 033-197-74884 European Science Foundation Source:Eurekalert

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