Integrating trait-based ecology in Norwegian climate impacts research and teaching

Trait-based methods have great potential for uncovering community changes, ecosystem effects and ecosystem services. A dramatic increase in the use of trait-based methods in climate change studies on vegetation is occurring worldwide but in Norway there i s not the same focus on trait-based methods in plant ecology. This project aims to facilitate integration of these methods in ongoing studies evaluating the impact of climate change on shrub expansion rates and other vegetation changes in Norwegian alpine ecosystems. The overseas research grant will be spend on facilitating the use of modern trait-based community and ecosystem methods in the projects. The project participants will visit one of the most excellent research environments in the world to atten d a four-month course in the use of trait-based methods in ecology and evolution with focus on hot research topics. The new knowledge will be directly integrated in ongoing climate change impact studies in Norwegian alpine communities. The new knowledge w ill furthermore be integrated in Bachelor- and Master-level teaching to train future generations at Norwegian universities in using trait-based methods when evaluating environmental changes and ecosystem functions and services.