Davidsonia

Turkington, R. 2004. Some Causes and Consequences of the Loss of Biodiversity: Ten Years of Plant Ecological Research in the Yukon. Davidsonia. 15(2):47-69

This article introduces the new Biodiversity Research Centre at UBC and reviews the nature and importance of biodiversity research in a changing world with rapidly expanding human population. Results from the Kluane Forest Boreal Forest Ecosystem Project have shown that nutrient availability is the main determinant of vegetation abundance rather than herbivory. However, with increasing nutrients and vegetation abundance there was a correlated loss of species diversity. Planned experiments in the same area are described which aim to remove species and functional groups from the vegetation (Biological Knock Out). These experiments are expected to give further insights into the functioning of this ecosystem. (abstract prepared by journal)