Effects of Invasive Non-Native Species within ecological networks and consequences for ecosystem function

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Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are considered a major driver of biodiversityloss. There is increasing empirical evidence of the direct and indirect effects ofinvasive non-native species on biodiversity but the scale of such studies is oftenlimited. We propose to extend invasion models to encompass ecological networksand explore the hypothesis that invasive non-native species weaken the strength ofinteractions within ecological networks with negative consequences for ecosystemfunction. Most studies on the impacts of invasions focus on the impacts of onespecies on another and are limited to the population-level, thereby avoiding thecomplexities of a community approach whereby assemblages of species would beincluded. Oversimplified studies could result in misleading conclusions because ofthe importance of positive and negative feedback mechanisms, for example thosemediated by parasites, throughout communities and consequently resultant effectson the functions they deliver. There is considerable scope to improve understandingby taking a network approach to unravelling impacts of invasive non-native speciesand so enhance predictions of impact and community resilience so informingdecision-making tools such as risk assessments.Using modelling approaches to explore ecological networks the student will addressquestions including:In what ways do the strength of interactions change within ecological networksincluding invasive non-native species?How do such changes effect ecosystem function?What is the relevance to ecosystem services approaches and Nature'sContributions to People (as defined by the Intergovernmental Science-PolicyPlatform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services)?The student will work alongside ecologists with expertise in compiling and analysinglarge datasets within the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the University ofStirling. The Non-Native Species Secretariat will provide policy and communicationcontext. The student will have access to large-scale and long-term datasets oninvasive non-native species alongside long-term monitoring time series from acrossthe globe for terrestrial and freshwater systems and other relevant data layers(including climate and land-use) to explore interactions among drivers of change.The student will build a database of ecological interactions using life-history traitsand occurrence datasets to underpin analysis on ecological networks to exploreeffects of invasive non-native species on ecosystem function and resilience.The studentship, although within the Biodiversity Science Area, will span otherscience areas including Hydro-Climate Risks. This project will develop and applyanalytical techniques to address NERC goals of understanding and predicting howour planet works and managing our environment responsibly.