GRK 2010: Biological Responses to Novel and Changing Environments

人类对自然前所未有的影响引发了当前的全球生物多样性危机。因此，生物如何对这种全球变化作出反应是最紧迫的研究领域之一。然而，除了少数模式物种外，影响生物成功应对环境变化能力的因素在很大程度上仍未被探索。通过研究来自水生和陆地栖息地以及具有不同生活史的广泛生物，RESPONSE侧重于对不断变化的环境（a类）的原位响应的塑性和遗传能力以及影响新栖息地定植的因素（B类）。通过这种综合和比较的方法，结合先进的建模技术，我们的目标是加深对物种持久性极限的理解，以便更准确地预测物种在不断变化的环境条件下的命运。该方案还涉及不同层次的生物组织，从个人一级的分子、生理和行为机制到人口一级的反应。在第一个资助期间，我们建立了一个由十个具有强大和互补专业知识的研究小组组成的互动网络，允许整合不同的分类群，实地和实验室方法以及几个研究学科。通过RTG内部的密切合作以及与其他知名研究机构的外部合作者的密切合作，我们将继续推动生物对不断变化的环境反应的综合分析方面的优秀研究，并为博士研究人员提供优秀的培训和工作条件。他们的研究技能将通过正式研究培训和通过研究项目进行个人培训的综合、有结构的方案得到加强。伴随着跨学科研究策略的教学计划涵盖了与RESPONSE相关的不同科学主题和技术，以及对职业发展重要的软技能。每个项目都涉及到合作小组。我们的培训计划将提升博士研究人员的职业前景，并通过个性化的个人职业发展计划和指导安排提供密集的职业支持。

The unprecedented level of human impact on nature has induced the current global biodiversity crisis. How organisms are able to react to this global change is thus one of the most pressing research areas. With the exception of a few model species, however, the factors influencing the ability of organisms to successfully respond to environmental change remain largely unexplored. By studying a wide range of organisms, from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and with different life histories, RESPONSE focuses on the plastic and genetic capacity for in-situ responses to changing environments (cluster A) and on the factors influencing colonisation of new habitats (cluster B). With this integrative and comparative approach, combined with advanced modelling techniques, we aim at deepening the understanding of the limits of species persistence in order to facilitate more accurate projections on the fate of species under changing environmental conditions. The programme additionally spans different levels of biological organization, ranging from individual-level molecular, physiological and behavioural mechanisms to population-level responses. During the first funding period, we established an interactive network of ten research groups with strong and complementary expertise that allows for integration of different taxa, field and laboratorybased approaches, and several research disciplines. Through close collaboration within the RTG and with our external collaborators from other renowned research institutions, we will continue to promote excellent research on the integrated analysis of biological responses to changing environments and to provide outstanding training and working conditions for doctoral researchers. Their research skills will be strengthened by means of an integrated, structured programme of formal research training and individual training-through-research projects. The teaching programme that accompanies the interdisciplinary research strategy covers different scientific topics and techniques relevant to RESPONSE as well as soft skills important for career development. Each project involves stays in collaborating groups. Our training programme will enhance the career prospects of the doctoral researchers and includes intensive career support provided through individualised personal career development plans and mentoring arrangements.