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Dr T Price
Dr Raj Whitlock
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
The vast majority of species are rare, and these are the species most vulnerable to extinction. Since Darwin's On the Origin of Species, rare species have often been assumed to be poor competitors. However, rare species are not homogenous. For example, species may be locally rare within their communities (low abundance), or globally rare and restricted, or both. Locally rare species are particularly intriguing, since they may be either at the ecological limits of persistence, or strongly competitive within niches that are restricted at local scales. Thus, the responses of rare species to global environmental change may depend strongly on the ecological causes of their rarity.
This project will use both experimental fruit fly communities and model grassland communities to examine how the characteristics of rare species influence their persistence in altered climates:
1. Can the competitive ability of rare species be predicted by their abundance, distribution, or ecological characteristics?
2. What are the impacts of increasing temperature on interactions between rare and common species, and can we predict the responses of rare species given their characteristics?
3. Can genetic variability allow communities to resist climate change, and contribute to the ability of rare species to endure competition from commoner species?
Training:
The student will receive training in both practical and theoretical ecology. This project contains a strong experimental component, based in the lab (animals) and in common gardens (plants). Therefore, the student will receive training in the design, execution and analysis of experimental evolution and competition assays, using animal and plant model organisms. In addition, the student will gain expertise in the assessment of genetic diversity using sequencing and microsatellite marker approaches. There is an additional opportunity to do field work, to collect experimental material, and to extend studies from the lab if required.
Please note that this project will be co-supervised by Dr Jenny Hodgson (http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~jh69/)
This project will use both experimental fruit fly communities and model grassland communities to examine how the characteristics of rare species influence their persistence in altered climates:
1. Can the competitive ability of rare species be predicted by their abundance, distribution, or ecological characteristics?
2. What are the impacts of increasing temperature on interactions between rare and common species, and can we predict the responses of rare species given their characteristics?
3. Can genetic variability allow communities to resist climate change, and contribute to the ability of rare species to endure competition from commoner species?
Training:
The student will receive training in both practical and theoretical ecology. This project contains a strong experimental component, based in the lab (animals) and in common gardens (plants). Therefore, the student will receive training in the design, execution and analysis of experimental evolution and competition assays, using animal and plant model organisms. In addition, the student will gain expertise in the assessment of genetic diversity using sequencing and microsatellite marker approaches. There is an additional opportunity to do field work, to collect experimental material, and to extend studies from the lab if required.
Please note that this project will be co-supervised by Dr Jenny Hodgson (http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~jh69/)
References
Hodgson J.A., Thomas C.D., Oliver T.H., Anderson B.J., Brereton T.M. & Crone E.E. (2011). Predicting insect phenology across space and time. Global Change Biology, 17, 1289-1300.
Kunin, W.E. & Gaston, K.J. 1993. The biology of rarity: patterns, causes, and consequences. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 8, 298-301.
Zlobin, Y. A. 2012 . Rare plant species: floristic, phytocenotic, and population approaches. Biology Bulletin Reviews 2, 226-237.
Kunin, W.E. & Gaston, K.J. 1993. The biology of rarity: patterns, causes, and consequences. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 8, 298-301.
Zlobin, Y. A. 2012 . Rare plant species: floristic, phytocenotic, and population approaches. Biology Bulletin Reviews 2, 226-237.
Project supervisors
Dr T Price's profile is coming soon
View other supervisors at University of LiverpoolCareer overview
Dr Raj Whitlock is a Reader in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Liverpool, affiliated with the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences. Dr Whitlock''s research focuses on community ecology, conservation, and evolutionary biology, particularly examining how plants and their associated soil biota respond to anthropogenic environmental changes. Dr Whitlock aims to understand whether adaptive responses, such as species sorting, evolution, and phenotypic plasticity, can sufficiently buffer species and communities against the effects of anticipated climatic change, as well as the ecological consequences of such adaptations. Current projects in Dr Whitlock''s lab utilise long-term climate manipulations, exceeding 30 years, applied to a calcareous grassland at the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab. These projects integrate various levels of biological organisation and responses, from genes to ecosystems. Additionally, Dr Whitlock employs meta-analysis to investigate the impacts of invasive species on native ecosystems and to address genetic challenges faced by rare and threatened taxa, contributing to conservation genetics. Dr Whitlock has received notable awards, including the George Mercer Prize from the Ecological Society of America in 2021 and the John L Harper Young Investigator''s Prize from the British Ecological Society in 2007.
Research interests
Dr Whitlock''s research focuses on community ecology, conservation, and evolutionary biology. His main interests lie in understanding how plants and associated soil biota respond to anthropogenic environmental change. He aims to determine whether adaptive responses, such as species sorting, evolution, and phenotypic plasticity, can sufficiently buffer species and communities against the anticipated effects of climatic change, as well as the ecological consequences of such adaptations. Current projects in his lab utilise long-term climate manipulations (over 30 years) applied to a calcareous grassland at the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab. These projects integrate various levels of biological organisation and responses, from the gene to the ecosystem. Additionally, Dr Whitlock employs meta-analysis to investigate the impacts of invasive taxa on native species and ecosystems, as well as the genetic challenges faced by rare and threatened taxa in conservation genetics.
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Community Ecology
Conservation
Anthropogenic Environmental Change
Adaptive Responses
Species Sorting
Evolution
Phenotypic Plasticity
Climatic Change
Long-term Climate Manipulations
Calcareous Grassland
Ecosystem Responses
Meta-analysis
Invasive Taxa
Native Species
Conservation Genetics
Rare Taxa
Threatened Taxa.
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