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UK funding (206 085 £) : Points chauds dans les endroits froids : comprendre l’importance du chauffage floral pour les écosystèmes himalayens Ukri01/05/2025 UK Research and Innovation, Royaume Uni
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Points chauds dans les endroits froids : comprendre l’importance du chauffage floral pour les écosystèmes himalayens
| Abstract | The evolution of plants has given rise to extraordinary diversity, that has colonized virtually every planetary environment, including the most extreme. Extremophile plants display remarkable evolutionary adaptations to survive in severe and inhospitable conditions. Exploring these adaptations is not only compelling but of fundamental significance. Here, we have recently made an intriguing discovery: a unique assemblage of high-altitude Himalayan plant species that exhibit floral heating to 20C above ambient. These include two types of floral-heating mechanisms: "glasshouse plants" which amplify heat by capturing solar radiation, and newly discovered "thermogenic plants" which generate their own heat. The coexistence of thermogenic and glasshouse species suggests floral heating is an underexplored, yet critical, adaptation for survival in these Himalayan ecosystems. In this research proposal, we set out to achieve several related objectives. First, utilizing thermal imaging, we will elucidate the complex temperature dynamics exhibited by these floral-heating species and investigate how temperature modulations influence pollinator behaviours. This will uncover mutualistic co-evolutionary relationships between floral-heating plant species and their pollinating insects. Second, we will resolve the evolutionary history of these floral-heating species and their divergence from non-heating ancestors. This will provide insights into the evolutionary processes that led to the emergence of floral heating as an adaptive strategy. Third, we will evaluate the ecological role these species play in maintaining insect biodiversity and pollination services within the Himalayan ecosystems. This will help us understand the broader implications of these adaptations for ecosystem health and resilience. Our multi-scale investigation promises fascinating insights, significantly contributing to our understanding of both ecology and evolution, from species to ecosystem. |
| Category | Fellowship |
| Reference | EP/Z001927/1 |
| Status | Active |
| Funded period start | 01/05/2025 |
| Funded period end | 30/04/2027 |
| Funded value | £206 085,00 |
| Source | https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FZ001927%2F1 |
Participating Organisations
| University of Cambridge |
Cette annonce se réfère à une date antérieure et ne reflète pas nécessairement l’état actuel. L’état actuel est présenté à la page suivante : University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Royaume Uni.
