Modelling collective behaviour to protect social insect ecosystem services

该项目旨在使用数学模型、计算机模拟和生物学实验来研究群居昆虫如何适应环境压力，例如由于气候变化和污染。群居昆虫适应性的基础是复杂的机制，使群体能够维持仔细平衡的劳动分工(DOL)。这个项目建立在进化博弈论的基础上，以开发一种新的方法来分析环境因素如何影响DOL，从而影响种群的生存能力。该项目将提供新的方法来评估和预测环境压力的影响，这最终将有助于保护这些生物多样性的基石，以及它们作为害虫控制剂通过授粉、种子传播和土壤调节提供的重要生态系统服务。

This project aims to use mathematical models and computer simulations and biological experiments to investigate how social insects adapt to environmental stress, for example due to climate change and pollution. Fundamental to the adaptability of social insects are the complex mechanisms that allow colonies to maintain a carefully balanced division of labour (DOL). This project builds on evolutionary game theory to develop a new approach for analysing how environmental factors impact on DOL and thus colony viability. The project will deliver new methods to assess and predict the impact of environmental stress This will ultimately help to protect these keystones of biodiversity and the significant ecosystem services they provide as pest-control agents, through pollination, seed dispersal, and soil conditioning.