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Mathew Leibold |
Professor
Section of
Integrative Biology
University of Texas at Austin
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Research Interests
At the broadest level, Dr. Leibold is
interested in combining theoretical, experimental and
observational methods to discover how ecological attributes of a
community interact with the properties of the ecosystem in which
they occur. He uses pond and lake ecosystems as model systems
for examining these relations because many aspects of the
ecology and limnology of these systems are well understood and
because they make extremely convenient systems to test complex
ideas about these relations.
Most of his empirical
work at KBS is using a large array of mesocosms that mimic ponds
but allow him to control many of the most important variables
such as nutrient inputs, light and the composition of the
community. He also conducts surveys of the ponds near KBS and
in-situ experiments in these ponds to crossvalidate his findings
from the mecocosms.
His upcoming research at KBS starting in 2008 will address how local adaptive processes (that occur within populations of individual species) interact with processes of community assembly in local communities subject to environmental change (see more information about NSF grant 0717370).
Click here for more information about Dr. Leibold's
interests. |
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A Legacy of Conservation
A Commitment to Sustainability
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2006 Michigan State University Board
of Trustees.
MSU is an affirmative-action,
equal-opportunity institution.