Projects

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency (research core funding No. P1-0255).

Abstract

To understand fundamental mechanisms underlying the structure and function of natural and anthropogenic ecosystems, it is necessary to gain insights into patterns of their biological diversity and underlying processes that generate them. In the Anthropocene, ecosystem health and resilience are rapidly altered by human activity. Consequently, we are facing ecosystems collapse and biodiversity crisis with unforeseen consequences for the human society. The long-running research programme Structure and function of ecosystems addresses core scientific questions and issues that are central to the sustainable development and for the safeguarding of biodiversity for future generations.

The proposed work is divided into two interconnected work packages (WP) that complement each other. Researchers in the team are at the forefront of their respective fields and the interconnected research topics included in each WP are based on their expertise, as well as the current research trends and societal needs.

In WP1 ‘Biodiversity: processes and patterns’, our research will focus on patterns of morphological, genetic, physiological, ecological and behavioural diversity, as well as processes inducing divergence between natural populations in maintaining biological diversity of target ecosystems with the main goal to reveal the key evolutionary and ecological mechanisms underlying biodiversity patterns. The research activities in WP2 ‘Sustainable use of natural resources’ aim to define waypoints of sustainable development, ensuring biodiversity conservation at different levels and sustainable use of renewable natural resources.

Information about the programme (SICRIS)