PERS-RELICT-CLIM | The persistence of relict populations under climate change

Summary
The rapid change in the Earth’s climate is predicted to disrupt the conditions which determine the distribution of tree species, with the most dramatic impacts at species range edges. At the trailing-range edge, empirical knowledge of the structure and performance of populations is very limited despite its essential importance for accurate prediction of species distribution and conservation of species diversity. Here, I hypothesize that the trailing-range edge is partly comprised of a relict structure of populations that can stabilize the range-edge of tree species. Through trait-based ecology and combining field, experimental and molecular approaches I aim to disentangle (1) the habitat, functional, genetic and demographic structure of trailing-range edge populations; (2) the mechanisms of local adaptation in early life stages; and (3) the associations between functional traits, demographic performance, habitat conditions and the relict status of populations. PERS-RELICT-CLIM is the first project designed to gain a complete understanding of trailing-range edge structure and functioning and potential of populations for persistence under global climate change.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/656300
Start date: 01-02-2016
End date: 31-01-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 195 454,80 Euro - 195 454,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The rapid change in the Earth’s climate is predicted to disrupt the conditions which determine the distribution of tree species, with the most dramatic impacts at species range edges. At the trailing-range edge, empirical knowledge of the structure and performance of populations is very limited despite its essential importance for accurate prediction of species distribution and conservation of species diversity. Here, I hypothesize that the trailing-range edge is partly comprised of a relict structure of populations that can stabilize the range-edge of tree species. Through trait-based ecology and combining field, experimental and molecular approaches I aim to disentangle (1) the habitat, functional, genetic and demographic structure of trailing-range edge populations; (2) the mechanisms of local adaptation in early life stages; and (3) the associations between functional traits, demographic performance, habitat conditions and the relict status of populations. PERS-RELICT-CLIM is the first project designed to gain a complete understanding of trailing-range edge structure and functioning and potential of populations for persistence under global climate change.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2014-EF

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
MSCA-IF-2014-EF Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)