Synthesis
Synthesis
The aim is to apply stochastic models to understand processes affecting the dynamics of populations and phenotypes in fluctuating environments. We search for predictors that can be used to explain and predict temporal and spatial variation in the dynamics of biological processes. A particular focus is on how covariation in basic life history characteristics divides species along a ‘slow-fast continuum’ of life history variation. We expect that position of species along this gradient may characterize the eco-evolutionary dynamics occurring within populations as well as influence the dynamical consequences of interspecific interactions.
Who are we?
Prof Bernt-Erik Sæther works with developing and applying stochastic models to characterize dynamics of biological processes at different organismic levels, often using a comparative approach.
Prof. Nils Christian Stenseth, CEES, University of Oslo is hired (20%) as a part of NTNU’s focus on attracting world-leading scientists to work in a cross-disciplinary collaboration on developing mathematical models of eco-evolutionary dynamics infectious diseases.
Dr. Marlène Gamelon, postdoc, is working on demography and dynamics of age-structured vertebrate populations.
Dr. Hannah Froy, postdoc, will work on spatial synchrony in demographic parameters in the house sparrow meta-population system.
Stefan Vriend is a PhD candidate, working on ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations of hole nesting birds across Europe
Lara Veylit is a PhD candidate studying demography and dynamics of French wild boar populations.
Projects
Projects from the Norwegian Research Council:
- Evolution in a changing climate (EVOCLIM), KLIMAFORSK-programmet, 2017-2020
- Sustainable management of renewable resources in a changning environment: an integrated approach across ecosystems (SUSTAIN), KLIMAFORSK-programmet, 2015-2018
Selected publications
Sæther, B.-E., Herfindal, I., Solby, E.B., Norberg, A. and Engen, S. 2022. Prediksjonsmodellering av samfunn i et endret miljø: praktiske eksempler. CBD Rapport 1/2022.
Gamelon, M., Grøtan, V., Nilsson, A.L.K., Engen, S., Hurrell, J.W., Jerstad, K., Phillips, A.S., Røstad, O.W., Slagsvold, T., Walseng, B., Stenseth, N.C. and Sæther, B.-E. 2017.Interactions between demography and environmental effects are important determinants of population dynamics. Science Advances 3, e1602298.
Sæther, B.-E., Visser, M.E., Grøtan, V. and Engen, S. 2016. Evidence for r- and K-selection in a wild bird population: a reciprocal link between ecology and evolution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 283, 20152411.
Gamelon, M., Grøtan, V., Engen, S., Bjørkvoll, E.M., Visser, M.E. and Sæther, B.-E. 2016. Density dependence in an age-structured population of great tits: identifying the critical age classes. Ecology 97, 2479–2490.
Kvalnes, T., Sæther, B.-E., Haanes, H., Røed, K.H., Engen, S. and Solberg, E.J. 2016. Harvest-induced phenotypic selection in an island population of moose, Alces alces. Evolution 70, 1486–1500.
Bjørkvoll, E.M., Lee, A.M., Grøtan, V., Sæther, B.-E., Stien, A., Engen, S., Albon, S.D., Loe, L.E. and Hansen, B.B. 2016. Demographic buffering of life histories? Implications of the choice of measurement scale. Ecology 97, 40–47.
Sæther, B.-E., Grøtan, V., Engen, S., Coulson, T., Grant, P.R., Visser, M.E., Brommer, J.E., Grant, B.R., Gustafsson, L., Hatchwell, B.J., Jerstad, K., Karell, P., Pietiainen, H., Roulin, A., Rostad, O.W. and Weimerskirch, H. 2016. Demographic routes to variability and regulation in bird populations. Nature Communications 7, 12001.
Sæther, B.-E. and Engen, S. 2015. The concept of fitness in fluctuating environments. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 30, 273-281
Sæther, B.-E., Coulson, T., Grøtan, V., Engen, S., Altwegg, R., Armitage, K.B., Barbraud, C., Becker, P.H., Blumstein, D.T., Dobson, F.S., Festa-Bianchet, M., Gaillard, J.-M., Jenkins, A., Jones, C., Nicoll, M.A.C., Norris, K., Oli, M.K., Ozgul, A. & Weimerskirch, H. 2013. How life history influences population dynamics in fluctuating environments. American Naturalist 182, 743–759