Programme3 title line

The James Hutton Institute logoThe James Hutton Institute

This page is no longer updated. The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute joined forces with SCRI joined forces on 1 April 2011 to create The James Hutton Institute. Please visit the James Hutton Institute website.

Friday 29th March 2024

Species distributions and ecological function

Why?

Understanding how Scotland’s biodiversity is distributed and how it plays a role in sustaining ecosystems is vital for a sustainable Scotland.

Investigation of the distribution of and roles for Scottish biodiversity requires:

  • What factors control the patterns of species distribution at scales from centimetres to national
  • Converting information of diversity and abundance of plant and animals into functional information
  • Understanding the role diversity plays in controlling ecosystem processes

Projects

Outcomes

  • Knowledge on the distribution and conservation of a range of key groups of biodiversity
  • Characterise how patterns of species diversity are constructed for different groups,
  • Relative roles of ecosystem dominants and diversity in supporting ecosystem function

Contacts

Contact: Prof. Robin Pakeman

Biodiversity research pic

More on Describing Biodiversity...

Biodiversity research pic

More on Ecosystem Interactions ...

Biodiversity research pic

More on Biodiversity Range...

Knowledge Exchange

More on Knowledge Exchange ...