Konjev Desender and Eva Gaublomme (Belgium)

Research field:

Studies on ecological and genetic effects of urbanisation on arthropods: ground beetles in forests near Brussels (Belgium)

This 4 years-project aims to study the effects of urbanisation, using ground beetles as arthropod model organisms, in old beech forests in and near Brussels (Belgium) at two levels.

First, we will study carabid assemblages by means of sampling gradients from urban to suburban to rural forests during the years 2002 and 2003. One gradient is entirely situated within the same forest, namely the 'Forest of Zoniën', while three other gradients consist of different forests: six forests south of Brussels and three in the northern part. Secondly, we will investigate effects of urbanisation at the species level. Therefore we will study two aspects of the forest inhabiting model species Abax ater: population genetics and population ecological factors. Until now, very few genetic research has been done on effects of urbanisation. We will test the hypotheses of a changed genetic structure and diversity as well as a changed life cycle in urban environments. Finally, we intend to look at fluctuating asymmetry within this ground beetle species to get an idea of the developmental stability in relation to environmental and/or genetic stress. By linking the results of all the investigated topics we want to get an overall picture of the consequences of urbanisation.