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Computational Ecology at MSRC: Rich Williams Head, Computational Ecology and Environmental Science Group
Computational Ecology at MSRC: Rich Williams Head, Computational Ecology and Environmental Science Group
Ecological Theory/Modelling:
Fundamental rules or laws are lacking Theory is highly heterogeneous and situation-specific Global scale patterns suggest that general theory is possible Need theory that crosses the conceptual hierarchy from individual to ecosystem
Ecological Data:
Conceptual heterogeneity drives data heterogeneity High data volume is typically not an issue; collecting data is. Data is typically privately held and sharing is not always common For many, Excel is the data entry and management tool of choice
Technological Challenges
Projects
(1)Modelling cloud forest species distributions [RW w/ KU-Conabio]; (2) Modelling invasive species spread and impact [LP w/ UCSB,Cam]; (3) Modelling food webs structure and function [RW w/ SFI, Tech U Darmstadt]; (5) Advanced techniques for modelling plant and forest growth [DP w/ IES, Zurich] (1) Connecting tree physiology, plant Xylem structure to evapotranspiration and the global climate [ DP&RW w/ Cam]; (2) Understanding biogeochemical feedback on earth system [RW w/ UEA]; (3) development of a new fire model for use in earth systems modelling [DP w/ CNRS]; (4) Landscape-scale coupled biological meteorological model of Peruvian cloud forest [RW w/ Oxford U.] (1) Integrating ecological and biodiversity data [RW & RF w/ CPB] (2) System for monitoring and understand avian behaviour [RF and AB w/ Oxford] (3) Global database of forest inventory [DP] (4) Initial release of digitized Cambridge Herbarium collection, most importantly Darwins collection from voyage on The Beagle [RW w/ Cam] (1) Tools for cloud forest conservation [RW&LP w/ WCMC]; (2) Tools for optimal reserve design [LP w/ EBD, Spain]
worlds biodiversity and around half of its terrestrial carbon. There is an urgent need to predict how forests will respond to continuing anthropogenic perturbations including increased atmospheric CO2, logging and landuse change. To aid in the development and parameterization of models to predict these responses, this project will collate millions of pre-existing field measurements of trees from national forest inventories into a coherent, user-friendly database.
Collaborators: Drew Purves (MSR), and a network of international researchers
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