RCN: Integrating Macroecological Pattern and Processes Across Scales (IMPPS)

University Of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM

Investigators

Abstract

The body size of an organism reflects complex tradeoffs among numerous processes. Nevertheless, certain size-dependent relationships are repeatedly observed for mammals and other taxa. For example, the distribution of mammalian body sizes (i.e., minimum, maximum, and modal size) is remarkably similar across continents, despite little speices overlap. Moreover, distributions appear to have been similar for the past 50 million years. Do patterns arise because of common ancestry, because organisms exist in similar environments, or because they face similar design or life history constraints? The broad goal of this project is to assess the generality of body size patterns and investigate general underlying processes. The project assembles an international and distinguished team of scientists with expertise spanning the full spectrum of time, space, and various disciplines (e.g., paleontology, marine and terrestrial ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics). Anticipated results include the development of a comprehensive global database on life history, body size, geography, and phylogenetic relatedness for mammals as well as the development of novel analytical and statistical tools. The intellectual merit of the project stems from investigation of the influence of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors in generating 'invariant' body size patterns across vastly different scales of space and time. Since the largest mammals are often critically endangered (e.g., African elephant, blue whale) and small mammals are comparatively understudied, results will provide important insights into conservation challenges posed by species at extremes of size. Broader impacts include: 1) development of much needed analytic tools and methodologies of use to scientists working in many emerging fields, 2) a macroecological database freely available to the public and other scientists, 3) development of an integrated network of scientists including international collaborators and both minority and female scientists, 4) training and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, and 5) outreach efforts targeted especially to underrepresented students including development of a course on macroecology.