Team > M. Sc. Simon Sommerer

Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences
Population Ecology

Doctoral student

Research project: subproject in BETA-FOR (DFG Research Unit FOR 5375/2)

Short description of the project BETA-FOR:

Not only can an increase in structural heterogeneity at local and landscape scale enhance species richness, it also stabilizes invertebrate-mediated ecosystem functions by increasing both alpha- and beta-diversity. The spatial and temporal scales at which different invertebrate species groups respond to heterogeneity remain poorly understood, yet they should depend on invertebrate mobility, the niche breadth, and the surrounding landscape structure. Weather and microclimate variation caused by small-scale heterogeneity strongly influence species activities at very short temporal scales. Over longer temporal scales, community composition of invertebrates, richness and population densities are influenced by successional changes in forest structure, which modify microclimatic conditions and resource availability.

The second phase of BETA-FOR (DFG Research Unit FOR 5375/2), will expand on the experimental approaches to identify the spatial and temporal scales at which structural forest heterogeneity affects invertebrate communities, their interactions, and ecosystem functions. Several work packages will address (i) successional dynamics of trap-nesting bee and wasp communities, and associated predation and parasitism, (ii) the contribution of arthropod predators to the regulation of forest herbivore populations, (iii) temporal dynamics of ground-dwelling invertebrates and their role in seed removal, and (iv) short-term effects of microclimate and activity patterns on seed removal and predation. The results will advance the understanding of how habitat heterogeneity shapes invertebrate species performance, community assembly, and functioning which will enhance biodiversity-friendly and resilient forest management strategies.

Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences
Population Ecology

M. Sc. Simon Sommerer
Doctoral student

Animal Ecology I - Population Ecology
Building NW I, Room 5.0 01 06
University of Bayreuth
Universitätsstr. 30
95447 Bayreuth

Phone: +49 (0) 921 55 2646
Fax: +49 (0) 921 55 2784

E-mail: Simon.Sommerer@uni-bayreuth.de