The phylogenetic structure of ecological communities under change
Author(s)
Pearse, William D.
Type
Thesis or dissertation
Abstract
Darwin first noticed that closely-related species tend to be more similar,
and that this brings them into more severe competition with
one another. In my thesis, I use information on the phylogenetic relatedness
of species to help understand the processes that structure
ecological assemblages. I start with a review of how phylogenetic
structure is useful to ecologists (chapter one), and the methodological
tools available to study it (chapter two). I then re-analyse the
Barro Colorado Island dataset, finding shifts in phylogenetic structure
across extremely fine spatial and phylogenetic scales that previously
used measures were unable to detect (chapter three). I outline a new
tool that automatically generates phylogenies for ecologists, making
use of online DNA sequence databases (chapter four). Using trait
and phylogenetic data, I examine marine benthic invertebrate assemblages
(chapter five), and characterise the structure of British birds
and butterflies (chapter six). I then prioritise British plant conservation
according to a new scheme that includes evolutionary distinctiveness,
species threat and our degree of uncertainty about species
threat (chapter seven), and conclude by considering future directions
for the study of the phylogenetic structure of ecological communities
(chapter eight).
and that this brings them into more severe competition with
one another. In my thesis, I use information on the phylogenetic relatedness
of species to help understand the processes that structure
ecological assemblages. I start with a review of how phylogenetic
structure is useful to ecologists (chapter one), and the methodological
tools available to study it (chapter two). I then re-analyse the
Barro Colorado Island dataset, finding shifts in phylogenetic structure
across extremely fine spatial and phylogenetic scales that previously
used measures were unable to detect (chapter three). I outline a new
tool that automatically generates phylogenies for ecologists, making
use of online DNA sequence databases (chapter four). Using trait
and phylogenetic data, I examine marine benthic invertebrate assemblages
(chapter five), and characterise the structure of British birds
and butterflies (chapter six). I then prioritise British plant conservation
according to a new scheme that includes evolutionary distinctiveness,
species threat and our degree of uncertainty about species
threat (chapter seven), and conclude by considering future directions
for the study of the phylogenetic structure of ecological communities
(chapter eight).
Date Issued
2012-11
Online Publication Date
2014-10-22T09:32:04Z
Date Awarded
2013-07
Advisor
Purvis, Andy
Publisher Department
Division of Ecology and Evolution
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)