Our research uses an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to address how biodiversity
is organized at different scales from genes to communities. We combine fieldwork
with meta-analysis, molecular tools, and theoretical approaches in the belief that
only a synthetic approach can satisfactorily address complex questions in ecology
and evolutionary biology. Our work is eminently collaborative and has an important
component of outreach and formation. Our synthetic approach aims at asking new questions
and addressing old questions in innovative ways at the interface between traditionally
segregated biological disciplines. Our specific objectives include:
1) the demographic and genetic consequences of plant dispersal by animals and their
effect on gene flow and population connectivity.
2) the conservation genetics of endangered species.
3) the ecological and evolutionary consequences of the structure of genetic diversity
at different spatial scales.
4) the patterns and processes of biological invasions and the development of ecology-based
tools for their management.
5) the diversity and functions of known plant genes in natural environments.
6) how multi-species interactions shape complex ecological networks, and how the
extinction of interactions influences biodiversity loss.
Lines/Sublines of Research:
Ecological Synthesis
Evolutionary Biology &
Molecular Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics
Conservation Biology and Global Change
&
Biological Invasions
Department Head:
Xavier Picó
Functional groups/Labs:
Bascompte-Jordano-Hampe Lab (Integrative Ecology)
Godoy Lab (Conservation
Genetics)
Vilà, M Lab (Biological Invasions)
Picó Lab (Population Biology of Plants)
Conservation & Evolutionary genetics
group