Spatio-temporal variability Project

Project

Spatio-temporal variability in the population dynamics of plants with contrasting life histories
Financed by: the Spanish MCYT
Principal Investigator: María Begoña García González
Co-investigators: Juan Arroyo, Johan Ehrlén, F. Xavier Picó, Arndt Hampe

     This project aims at exploring how environmental variability (both spatial and temporal) affects plant population dynamics through reproductive and demographic vital rates, by using projection matrix models. The principal novelty of the present approach lies in the comparative analysis of many different species with varying life histories, and on the use of information of their estimated lifespan (unknown for most plant species unless specific algorithms are used).

     Spatial variability analyses will be mainly focused on a detailed study of interpopulation differences in vital rates, their relationship with environmental factors dominating populations of contrasted dynamics, and their influence in the population genetic structure. The effects of temporal variability will be evaluated through extensive database recopilation of studies using matrix models (both from the scientific literature and our own unpublished data gathered during the last decade). In particular, we will investigate: 
     1. the relationship between interannual variability of vital rates and the life history of the species, 
     2. evaluate the potential influence of such variability on the population growth rate (elasticity analysis), and 
     3. compare their potential influence with the real effect on the recorded variance (variance descomposition analysis). 

     Finally, a comparative analysis will assess how the importance of recruitment decreases with species longevity, and how lifespan affects population risk of extinction.

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