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Event

QLS/CAMBAM Seminar - Dr. Fred Guichard

Thursday, January 11, 2018 12:00to13:00
McIntyre Medical Building 908, 3655 promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, CA

Meta-ecosystem theories : species that matter for the cycling of matter

Population dynamics ultimately depends on the cycling of matter, from the uptake of nutrients, to the recycling of organism. In natural systems, the movement of matter, organic and inorganic, and of organisms can greatly impact ecosystem persistence and functioning over a broad range of spatial scales, from microbiomes to the biosphere. Meta-ecosystem theories addresses these questions by predicting the dynamics of networks of ecosystems, partially connected by the movement of matter and individuals. I will introduce the concept of meta-ecosystems and its relationships to other similar ecological theories. I will then discuss recent work from our group based on mathematical models of meta-ecosystem dynamics. These models predict that community structure, characterized by the trophic position and movement ability of species, can explain the maintenance of strong spatial heterogeneity and temporal fluctuations when feedbacks resulting from the cycling and transport of matter is considered.

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