This National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) Project Grant awarded to Syracuse University for $535,370 supports research to understand the effects of warming temperatures and biotic interactions on aphid population dynamics. The project will integrate field experiments, long-term observations, and agent-based modeling to characterize the physiological and eco-evolutionary mechanisms underlying aphid population responses to climate change in a Rocky Mountain ecosystem. The research aims to develop predictive models for how aphid populations may shift under different climate scenarios, which can inform insect monitoring, conservation, and management efforts. The project will also incorporate the research findings into educational materials for K-12 students to advance quantitative skills in climate change education. Additionally, the project will recruit and provide professional development opportunities for scholars from underrepresented communities to participate in this interdisciplinary, team-based science.
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