A Deeper Look at Species InteractionsUnderstanding biological complexity and how it shapes ecological functions (such as stability) has been a core aim of ecology since the dawn of the science. And as human influences now shape a majority of the earth's ecosystems, understanding what makes complex communities resilient (or not) to change is even more imperative.
I use tools in high throughput DNA sequencing of invertebrate predator diets to revisit ecological questions with the goal of building a more realistic picture of the biological interactions that comprise complex biological communities. |
My ResearchMy research is focused on building our knowledge of biological interactions and using what we know about these interactions to understand the impacts of invasive species and of invasive species management. My work focuses on islands as model systems in ecology as well as examines the unique invasive species challenges and benefits of island conservation.
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Conservation Shapes Ecosystems
Conservation actions such as eradications often lead to fundamental changes in the properties and functions of ecosystems. One of the most commonly-reported post-eradication responses on islands is the recovery of nesting seabirds and the nutrients they provide to island ecosystems. While this is a common eradication outcome, many other ecosystem responses are likely to occur as the species remaining in an ecosystem adjust to the loss of invasive species.
I study the plant and animal community dynamics of forests on Palmyra Atoll following the eradication of black rats (Rattus rattus) and show that forests and forest communities have shifted substantially following eradication towards new ecological states The above pictures depict forests with rats (left) and without (right), with an increased dominance of an introduced palm species (Cocos nucifera) which negatively impacts nesting seabirds. This work was published in Biotropica in 2020 (ResearchGate link)!
I study the plant and animal community dynamics of forests on Palmyra Atoll following the eradication of black rats (Rattus rattus) and show that forests and forest communities have shifted substantially following eradication towards new ecological states The above pictures depict forests with rats (left) and without (right), with an increased dominance of an introduced palm species (Cocos nucifera) which negatively impacts nesting seabirds. This work was published in Biotropica in 2020 (ResearchGate link)!