​Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology

​Our laboratory has a broad conceptual focus on trying to understand how extant diversity has been driven through ecological interactions over evolutionary time. We mostly work on model systems comprising plants and their associated insects, as the majority of described terrestrial species fall into these groups. Our work often includes the use of molecular and metabolomics tools to provide a baseline onto which we add layers of complexity in the form of detailed ecological measurements on communities and trophic interactions. We combine field collections with manipulative experiments and work collaboratively with others to achieve our goals. We are currently working on four main themes: 1) evolution of anti-herbivore defences in plants 2) roles of biotic and abiotic factors in the genesis of host-plant chemical diversity 3) elucidating the role of evolutionary relationships and defensive traits in structuring the insect herbivore communities associated with speciose plant genera, 4) multi-trophic interactions promoting the diversity of arboreal arthropods.

Current research projects

*Why is there such high diversity of chemical defences ? The role of insect herbivory in promoting chemical diversity in willows

*Diverge or converge: do harsh abiotic condition restrict divergence of defences in alpine willows?

*Supra-specific Janzen-Connell effects: Constraints to insect herbivore specificity and performance

*Predators, parasitoids or chemicals: what protects tree canopies against insect herbivores?