QLS Seminar Series - Chris Klausmeier

Trait-based eco-evolutionary theory

Chris Klausmeier, Michigan State University
Tuesday November 23, 12-1pm
Zoom Link: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/85428056343

Abstract: Trait-based approaches are increasingly seen as a way to reduce the complexity of ecological communities and to incorporate functional diversity in ecosystem models. In this talk I will present our recent work developing and applying trait-based theory. First, I will give an overview of trait-based approaches to modeling ecological and eco-evolutionary dynamics and how they can enhance our understanding of community structure and ecosystem functioning. Then I will give examples of how they can be applied to complex spatially and temporally varying systems, including seasonally and directionally changing environments. Finally, I will describe recent theory on how local selection and immigration from the regional species pool interact to determine distribution of commonness and rarity in ecological communities and an experimental test.