Willem De Smet emeritus with assignment

Research Willem De Smet

Research team

Taxonomic turnover in terrestrial and aquatic diatom communities: integration of macroecological, morphological, phylogenetic-evolutionary and ecophysiological approaches. 01/01/2007 - 31/12/2010

Abstract

The current proposal aims at contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between historical-evolutionary, ecological and neutral mechanisms and observed patterns in endemism, latitudinal diversity gradients and regional species turnover in terrestrial and lacustrine diatom floras. We will therefore (1) construct the first global, intercalibrated, species-level taxonomic dataset for these diatoms; and (2) using our extensive culture collection, and for a selection of representative genera and species(complexes), investigate (i) to what extent phylogenetic history can explain the geographical variation in diversity patterns at the population, species and genus level and (ii) how these patterns correlate with variation in life history characteristics and ecophysiology amongst and within species.

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    • Research Project

    Micro- and macro-evolution of the threatened endemic giant Opuntia cacti: conservation genetics on the Galápagos archipelago. 01/10/2004 - 31/12/2007

    Abstract

    This project will study micro- and macro-evolutionary processes (changes in allele frequencies, genetic drift, gene flow, hybridisation, introgression, changes in DNA sequences) within the threatened giant Opuntia-cactusses on the Galápagos islands. Therefore we will combine several recently developed, genetic techniques (microsatellites, DNA sequencing), studying a unique, already available collection of samples.

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      • Research Project

      01/07/1999 - 31/12/1999

      Abstract

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        • Research Project

        01/01/1998 - 31/07/2000

        Abstract

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          • Research Project

          Biodiversity and spread of the Belgian Rotifera and Tardigrada. 01/05/1995 - 30/04/1997

          Abstract

          Biodiversity, dispersion and population composition of the Rotifera and Tardigrada of Belgium in relation to fysico-chemical, biological, morphometrical and other parameters of the habitat.

          Researcher(s)

          Research team(s)

            Project type(s)

            • Research Project