Theory and Synthesis

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Nico Blüthgen; Professor Dr. Carsten Dormann
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 444827997

Species are engaged in multiple types of biotic interactions simultaneously, yet current network ecology largely investigates interactions between two guilds. In this subproject, and with international collaboration, we aim at extending this bipartite representation to so-called multilayer networks, and provide a principled approach to multilayer indices and null models. The framework developed will then be applied to data from the other subprojects, collected on a purposefully designed multilayer experiment. Additionally, this subproject takes the lead in project synthesis with two foci: (1) microclimate effects on biodiversity and interaction networks; and (2) test of the project’s space-for-time substitution approach. It will also provide support to other project syntheses and statistical training within the project.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5207: Reassembly of species interaction networks – Resistance, resilience and functional recovery of a rainforest ecosystem