Biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services in novel landscapes

在一个每个主要生态系统都受到人类活动影响的世界上，一个未受影响的原始生态系统的浪漫化观点不再相关。从污染和砍伐森林到引入非本地物种，人类活动影响了世界各地的自然系统。当我们改变生态系统的功能时，如果我们要确保生态系统有长期能力维持对人类的基本服务，就必须了解物种如何对生态系统的功能作出贡献。使用理论，实验和观察方法相结合，我的研究目标是了解物种的进化历史如何塑造他们的生态相互作用和他们对生态系统功能的贡献，特别是在新的，人类主导的景观。这一广泛目标将通过四个尖端项目来实现，这些项目将生物多样性动态与生态系统功能和城市地区服务的提供联系起来。具体来说，我将：1）提供一个更基本的理解进化和物种差异如何有助于多种生态系统功能。2)将城市森林生物多样性与不同类型城市森林的多种生态系统功能和服务联系起来。3)定量分析入侵植物黄毒草对城市绿色空间生物多样性和生态系统功能的影响。4)应用生物多样性-生态系统功能理论最大化绿色屋顶功能。这些项目将以城市景观为背景，因为城市梯度和管理制度提供了一个机会，可以测试如何利用生态理论来为城市设计提供信息。随着加拿大人越来越多地在大城市中心生活和工作，我们需要更好地了解如何最大限度地发挥生物多样性和生态系统的功能，特别是在城市绿色地区。如果我们的生态理论为自然的运作提供了强有力的见解，那么人类主导的景观就是迫切需要解决问题的地方。

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.