Biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services in novel landscapes

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The romanticized view of an untouched, pristine ecosystem is no longer relevant in a world where every major ecosystem has been impacted by human activities. From pollution and deforestation, to the introduction of non-native species, human activity has influenced natural systems around the world. As we alter the functioning of ecosystems, the need to understand how species contribute to ecosystem functioning is of paramount importance if we are to ensure the long-term ability for ecosystems to maintain fundamental services to humanity. Using a combination of theoretical, experimental, and observational approaches, my research goal is to understand how species’ evolutionary histories shape their ecological interactions and their contributions to ecosystem function, especially in novel, human-dominated landscapes. This broad goal will be realized with four cutting-edge projects that link biodiversity dynamics to ecosystem function and the delivery of services in urban areas. Specifically, I will: 1) Provide a more fundamental understanding of how evolution and species differences contribute to multiple ecosystem functions. 2) Link urban forest biodiversity to multiple ecosystem functions and services across different types of urban forests. 3) Quantify the impact of an aggressive invasive plant, Vincetoxicum rossicum, on biodiversity and ecosystem function of urban green space. 4) Apply biodiversity-ecosystem function theory to maximizing green roof function. These projects will be set in urban landscapes as urban gradients and management regimes offer an opportunity to test how ecological theory can be used to inform urban design. As Canadians increasingly live and work in large urban centres, we need a better understanding of how biodiversity and ecosystem function can be maximized, particularly in urban green areas. If our ecological theories provide powerful insights into the operation of nature, then human dominated landscapes are where they are desperately needed to solve problems.