G. David Tilman: Difference between revisions
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== Competition & Biodiversity in Spatially Structured Habitats == |
== Competition & Biodiversity in Spatially Structured Habitats == |
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[[Image:correlation graph.jpg|thumb|right|Graph showing the correlation between the number of years it takes a species to colonize a field and their competitive ability for nitrogen. <ref>Tilman (1987)Competition and Biodiversity in Structurally Spatial Habitats, p.2-3.</ref>]] |
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Another paper by Tilman that has received substantial citation is one that encompasses the idea that large numbers of species can coexist in a small habitat even when they require the same limiting nutrient (such as nitrogen), as long as there is a tradeoff between the species. Basically it means that they can coexist because species that are good competitors are not as good or are poor at colonizing or reproducing. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 01:04, 15 April 2008
G. David Tilman (formerly "Titman")[1] born in 1949 in Aurora, Illinois, is a prominent American ecologist that earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1976. He is Regent's Professor and McKnight Presidential Chair in Ecology at the University of Minnesota, as well as an instructor in fields such as Conservation Biology; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior; and Microbial Ecology. He is also director of the Cedar Creek Natural History Area Long-term Ecological Research station. Tilman has been a Guggenheim Fellow, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and as a member of the National Academy of Science.[2] In 2000 Tilman was designated the Most Highly Cited Environmental Scientist of the Decade by Essential Science Indicators.[3]
Ecology Interests
Dr. Tilman states that his passion with ecology stems from his love for both math and biology, and ecology is a field that allows him to express both together along with his love for the outdoors. Ecology and more specifically conservation ecology is a science that revolves around protecting the Earth’s biological diversity, whether it be at the species or ecosystem level. His work explores how both natural and managed ecosystems can be used to meet the needs of humans, whether it be for food, energy, or ecosystem services. Dr. Tilman has performed several studies to further determine the usefulness of grasslands for utilization in biofuel.
Resource Competition & Community Structure
Dr. Tilman is best known for his work on the role of resource competition in community structure and on the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning. His most cited paper is about biodiversity and stability in grasslands that provided data regarding an experiment that began in 1982 with more than 200 plots in a grassland field in the Cedar Creek National History Area in Minnesota. Each of these plots was continuously monitored for 20 years for factors such as species richness and biomass created by the community. Tilman’s paper looked at data both prior to and following a drought on the grassland plots in 1988, which provided surprising results for Tilman. The drought provided substantial disturbance and the data showed a strong positive correlation between the diversity within the community and the stability of the community as a whole supporting the diversity-stability hypothesis.[5]
Competition & Biodiversity in Spatially Structured Habitats
Another paper by Tilman that has received substantial citation is one that encompasses the idea that large numbers of species can coexist in a small habitat even when they require the same limiting nutrient (such as nitrogen), as long as there is a tradeoff between the species. Basically it means that they can coexist because species that are good competitors are not as good or are poor at colonizing or reproducing.
References
- ^ Tilman (1982) Resource Competition and Community Structure, p. 86.
- ^ Biographical Sketch of G. David Tilman.
- ^ CURRICULUM VITAE - G. David Tilman.
- ^ Cedar Creek Core LTER Experiments[1].
- ^ Rediscovering Biology Online Textbook[2].
- ^ Tilman (1987)Competition and Biodiversity in Structurally Spatial Habitats, p.2-3.
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