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ATOM-ECOLOGY

Relationships between plant species-specific bio-element use and ecological traits of the plant-soil system

This project aims to investigate how, by understanding the chemical composition of the plant-soil system, we can better approach and comprehend basic paradigms of ecology, such as diversity, trophic relationships, or concepts like the ecological niche.

 

Ecology is a broad and holistic scientific discipline that encompasses key topics such as diversity, succession, and the structure of trophic networks. For instance, in the case of one of ecology’s classic paradigms, diversity, the challenge lies in determining the variables that define this multivariate space. Various approaches have been proposed, such as niche regeneration or functional niche, to handle the concept of the niche in a more tangible way. However, a general and straightforward method to define, identify, and measure species niches is still needed.

Each species tends to have its own elemental composition and stoichiometry, considering both the homeostatic component of the biogeochemical niche (maintaining its own identity) and the plasticity component (allowing adaptation to changing circumstances).

At the core of this project lies the development of atomic ecology. The presence and availability of essential atoms in various ecosystems are closely linked to fundamental ecological traits, such as production capacity, species composition, and trophic structure. This complex interaction between these elements is crucial for sustaining life and shaping the unique characteristics of each ecosystem within the biosphere.

 

Project PID2023-153125NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, UE.

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Esquema Atom

 

Atom 2

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