| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R81657/01 |
| Title: |
Shapes in trait space: a bi-modal search algorithm to identify trait trade-offs supporting biodiversity |
| Principal Investigator: |
Bown, Professor JL |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Computing and Creative Tech |
| Organisation: |
Abertay University |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
01 July 2002 |
Ends: |
30 June 2003 |
Value (£): |
38,829
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Artificial Intelligence |
Software Engineering |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The relation between the biodiversity present within an ecosystem and the functioning of that system, for example stability and productivity, is not well understood. Progress in addressing this relation is inhibited by a limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to diversity. Current experimental work indicates that the coexistence of a large number of diverse individuals is dependent on functional trade-offs among physiological traits of those organisms, for example co-variation in traits. This work will develop a search algorithm able to traverse 'trait space', the state space in which communities exist, seeking compositions of communities that sustain diversity in functional form. This work will employ a sophisticated search strategy able to traverse trait space at different degrees of resolution, i.e. a bi-modal search algorithm. This search algorithm will be housed in a framework facilitating the switching between search modes and informing on the levels of sensitivity and uncertainty associated with ascribing fitness to community compositions. The search framework will provide a platform for subsequent investigations into trait trade-offs among individual organisms. The work will inform the study of biodiversity and offer insight into the measurements to be made in experimental studies. More generally, the search framework may be applied to problem areas where a large number of coupled components exist and an overall, emergent behaviour is observed and not understood.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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