Many of the questions that drive my research emerge from a desire to understand how human dominated communities influence fluctuation in vegetation composition, forest structure, and in turn biodiversity in tropical systems in developing courntries. I use this conceptual framework to ask questions about: 1) the influence of anthropogenic disturbances on the distribution and abundance of non-native plants; 2) how changes in land-use shapes contemporary forest structure; and 3) the extent to which socio-economic factors influence pressures on natural resources. The overall goal of my research is to explore interactions and feedbacks between humans and their environments in tropical ecosystems.

Research focus

Effect of global change on ecological communities:
The over-arching theme for this aspect of my research is to understand the extent to which anthropogenically-driven global change influences vegetation structure, vegetation composition, and, in turn, biodiversity in forest ecosystems. In this regard, my work focuses on untangling the synergistic effects that emerge from interactions between land-use and introduced species (i.e., changes in biodiversity patterns). In the past, I have studied how environmental variables constrain invasive species distribution and abundance in their novel habitat. I accomplished this through the use of several modelling approaches, such as Ecological Niche Models (or distribution models) and population projection models.

Effects of subsistence communities on environmental change and potential feedbacks
This aspect of my research integrates ecological and socioeconomic information to assess how changes in land-use patterns affect ecological services in developing countries. For instance, my most recent study (done in collaboration with researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Antananarivo) was an interdisciplinary project that explored the human and ecological dimensions of biodiversity conservation in southeastern Madagascar. This project examined the extent to which diversity of utilitarian species surrounding particular subsistence communities was influenced by the establishment of a national park that restricted human access to forest resources. We assessed the functional diversity of specific plant communities, wherein the functionality of target species was determined by their utility to subsistence communities in areas surrounding the protected area.

More to come soon -- still under construction!