Processes of community assembly in termites in West Africa

• Applicant: Dr. Rebecca Schulte-Iserlohe, since 4/2013
• Co-Applicant: Esse Anani Kotoklo, Ph.D. (†)
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 216668749

What determines the co-occurrence of species? This crucial question is still controversially debated in ecology. Classical niche theory posits that deterministic factors (especially species interactions like competition or environmental filtering) are important in structuring communities. This view is challenged by the unified neutral theory which regards species-neutral interactions (dispersal, disturbance and stochastic processes) more important. We will study community assembly in tropical ecosystems where the occurrence of many similar species is still a major challenge for our understanding of ecology. Our study organisms, termites, have apparently identical niche requirements, nevertheless up to 20 species coexist. We will test the importance of deterministic versus neutral processes for this taxon in two ecosystems (savannas and forests) where it is crucial for ecosystem functioning. We will combine specific pattern analyses of natural undisturbed termite communities with cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of communities representing different assembly stages. This allows us, first, to deduce assembly processes from pattern analyses and then, to reveal the temporal dynamics of community assembly. In the face of habitat destruction worldwide, understanding how communities assemble and the forces that influence their dynamics, diversity and ecosystem function will prove critical to conserving and restoring the Earth’s biota.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Togo
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Professorin Dr. Judith Korb, until 4/2013