Temperature mediated population dynamics in springtails

Temperature is one of the most influential environmental factors limiting the distribution and abundance of organisms. Current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the demographic responses of organisms to thermal change is, however, incomplete, particularly for soil organisms (e.g. springtails). These organisms are essential for soil health, which in turn is essential for the ecosystems that support wildlife. Global climate change is known to effect diversity. With temperature predicted to increase it will be vital to develop predictive tools to forecast changes to diversity.
Therefore, this project will first investigate how the demography of a springtail assemblage is influenced by temperature through the specific responses of the parameters (survival, reproduction and growth) that regulate population growth and decline, and why this might happen through the study of ecologically relevant traits. Secondly, a trait-based model will be applied to the data to forecast the effects of temperature change on demography. The successful application of this model will enable greater understanding and improved forecasting of the responses of soil organisms to
changes in climate.