biodiversity, Food-web structure & ecosystem function
Understanding relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function is increasingly important in light of anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. Although several studies have shown strong effects of food-web structure on ecosystem function (e.g. trophic cascades), most biodiversity-ecosystem function studies to date have focused on only a single trophic level (e.g. primary producers). My colleagues at Kansas State University (Keith Gido, Walter Dodds, Michelle Evans-White) and I are currently examining the role of food-web structure and consumer trophic diversity (niche width diversity) in biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. Our experiments are conducted in the Experimental Stream Facility at Konza Prairie Biological Station, where we have 36 independent streams, each comprised of a riffle-pool unit, natural substrate and circulating flow system.
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We are also testing ecosystem effects of green sunfish invasion on stream ecosystem function, and have recently examined effects of temperature on trophic interactions and ecosystem function. Combined with mechanistic models of assemblage composition, our experimental manipulations and field surveys of ecosystem dynamics will be used to forecast potential ecosystem consequences of environmental change for prairie watersheds (e.g. species introductions, increased biofuel production, climate change).
Related publications
Evans-White, M.A., D.J. Hoeinghaus, K.B Gido, W.K. Dodds & M. Thompson. Temperature effects on community interactions and ecosystem processes in an experimental prairie stream. in preparation.
Hoeinghaus, D.J. and F.M. Pelicice. Lethal and non-lethal effects of predators: a review of predation experiments on lotic fish species and assemblages. Chapter in Community Ecology of Stream Fishes, K.B. Gido and D.A. Jackson, eds. (in review)