Objective
Herbivore top-down effects and abiotic bottom-up effects are important in structuring forest systems. Recent studies showed that carnivores may shape indirectly herbivore effects. It is largely unknown how these factors interact in complete ecosystems. The project aims to understand how large canivores and abiotics shape herbivore top-down effects. The study area is one of the most complete forest systems in Europe, the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland, harbouring two large carnivores (wolf, lynx) and five ungulates (bison, moose, red deer, roe deer, wild boar). To test the interactions between herbivory and abiotics we will use an experiment that was started during the previous Marie Curie Fellowship of the applicant. In this full-factorial experiment the effects of both factors on ungulates and growth of trees have been measured. Also the work started by the applicant on 'browsing lawns' will be expanded. This new concept was recently described for African systems where intensive foraging by herbivores leads to a positive feed-back on food availability and quality. By means of video cameras and small exclosures in browsing lawns we will study if similar principles operate in temperate forest systems. The interactions between carnivores and herbivores will be studied by relating data on predator presence (scats, tracks, dens) to existing data of radio-collared ungulates from the host institute. Small-scale experiments should reveal whether olfactory cues or habitat visibility are important factors in predator avoidance. The applicant will work at the institute of his previous Marie Curie Fellowship. Hence the project allows for a continuation of the established contacts within and outside the Polish institute as well as international cooperation (Netherlands, Norway). The proposed work will form the habilitation thesis of the applicant which greatly facilitates his long-term reintegration in the Polish scientific community after the duration of the project.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
17230 BIALOWIEZA
Poland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.