Ecological patterns and processes across scales: application to river networks (RIVERSCALE)
This project looks at the diversity of riparian vegetation within the entire geographical region of continental Portugal using data collected under the Water Framework Directive. Its major novelty is to add to the study of biodiversity its scaling properties. "Scaling properties" are those observed when one considers simultaneously several scales. Often, diversity measures, such as the species abundance distribution, are analysed at one single scale, implying that the scale chosen is representative of all other scales. However, that is rarely the case. Therefore, we argue that, instead of looking at only one scale, we should study how diversity changes across scales. This project encompasses basic and applied ecology. On the basic side is the exploration of new ways of describing ecological patterns and their relations with known processes. On the applied side is the collection of information that can be used in conservation and management projects.
Principal Investigator:
Luís António da Silva Borda de Água
Auxiliary Researcher
Research Team:
Post-Doc Researcher
Coordinating Researcher
Post-Doc Researcher