title: Ecology, physiology and systematics of animals
reg no: SF0362479s03
project type: targeted financing
subject: 1.10-1.16. Bio-Geo Sciences
4. Agricultural Sciences
status: accepted
institution: Institute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciences
head of project: Urmas Tartes
duration: 01.01.2003 - 31.12.2007
description: We are contributing to solving central problems of the theory of life-history evolution, using insects and birds as model organisms. We focus on determining factors that constrain the evolution of body size, mechanisms of coordinating different organ systems to maintain homeostasis and dynamic relations between structure and function.
We are studying the effect of senescence on the reproduction of the population in a long-lived bird species, changes of wetland bird communities in order to find out reproduction and survival strategies of bird populations living in unstable environmental conditions. Results of population studies are widely used in bird conservation. We will develop general principles for the protection and management of wild birds and their habitats.

project group
no name institution position  
1.Toomas EsperkInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdoktorant/van.lab. 
2.Dalial FreitakInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesmagistrant/van.lab. 
3.Juhani JavoišInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdoktorant 
4.Andres KuresooInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdoktorant/teadur 
5.Olavi KurinaInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadur 
6.Monika LauritsInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesmagistrant/van.lab. 
7.Vilju LillelehtInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesvanemteadur 
8.Leho LuigujõeInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdoktorant/teadur 
9.Triinu MändInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesmagistrant 
10.Hannes PehlakInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesmagistrant 
11.Märt RahiInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadussekretär 
12.Kalev RattisteInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadur 
13.Siiri-Lii SandreInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesmagistrant/laborant 
14.Toomas TammaruInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdotsent 
15.Urmas TartesInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdirektor 
16.Tiit TederInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadur 
17.Alo VanatoaInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadur 
18.Jaan ViidaleppInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesvan.teadur 
19.Ülo VäliInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesteadur 
20.Erki ÕunapInstitute of Zoology and Botany at Estonian University of Life Sciencesdoktorant/van.lab.