A5044957475- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Global Health and Epidemiology
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Oil Palm Production and Sustainability
- African history and culture studies
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Data Analysis with R
- Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
University of Exeter
2018-2025
Technical University of Darmstadt
2014-2019
Aarhus University
2010-2015
ETH Zurich
2008-2014
University of Zurich
2007-2009
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
2008
Species extinctions pose serious threats to the functioning of ecological communities worldwide. We used two qualitative and quantitative pollination networks simulate extinction patterns following three removal scenarios: random systematic strongest weakest interactors. accounted for pollinator behaviour by including potential links into temporal snapshots (12 consecutive 2-week networks) reflect mutualists' ability 'switch' interaction partners (re-wiring). Qualitative data suggested a...
Abstract Co‐flowering plant species commonly share flower visitors, and thus have the potential to influence each other's pollination. In this study we analysed 750 quantitative plant–pollinator networks from 28 studies representing diverse biomes worldwide. We show that for one another indirectly via shared pollinators was greater plants whose resources were more abundant (higher floral unit number nectar sugar content) accessible. The indirect also stronger between phylogenetically closer...
Ecological networks are a useful tool to study the complexity of biotic interactions at community level. Advances in understanding network patterns encourage application approach other disciplines than theoretical ecology, such as biodiversity conservation. So far, however, practical applications have been meagre. Here we present framework for analysis be harnessed advance conservation management by using plant-pollinator and islands model systems. Conservation practitioners require...
Abstract Aims The 50th anniversary of the publication seminal book, Theory Island Biogeography , by Robert H. MacArthur and Edward O. Wilson, is a timely moment to review identify key research foci that could advance island biology. Here, we take collaborative horizon‐scanning approach 50 fundamental questions for continued development field. Location Worldwide. Methods We adapted well‐established methodology horizon scanning priority in biology, initiated it during Biology 2016 conference...
The study of mutualistic interaction networks has led to valuable insights into ecological and evolutionary processes. However, our understanding network structure may depend upon the temporal scale at which we sample analyze data. To date, lack a comprehensive assessment scale‐dependence across wide range scales geographic locations. If is temporally scale‐dependent, constructed over different provide very perspectives on composition species interactions. Furthermore, it remains unclear how...
Large clades of angiosperms are often characterized by diverse interactions with pollinators, but how these pollination systems structured phylogenetically and biogeographically is still uncertain for most families. Apocynaceae a clade >5300 species worldwide distribution. A database representing >10 % in the family was used to explore diversity pollinators evolutionary shifts across major regions. The compiled from published unpublished reports. Plants were categorized into broad then...
Summary 1. Invasive alien plant species pose a severe threat to native communities world‐wide, especially on islands. While many studies focus the direct impact of plants systems, indirect effects invaders co‐flowering natives, for example through competition pollination services, are less well studied and results variable. 2. We used six temporally taxonomically highly resolved plant–pollinator networks from island Mahé, Seychelles, investigate invasive remnant mediated by shared...
Abstract Rare plant species are vulnerable to genetic erosion and inbreeding associated with small population size isolation due increasing habitat fragmentation. The degree which these problems undermine viability remains debated. We explore reproductive processes in the critically endangered long‐lived tropical tree Medusagyne oppositifolia , an endemic Seychelles a naturally patchy distribution. This is failing recruit three of its four populations. evaluate whether recruitment failure...
Identifying the determinants of biological interactions in mutualistic networks is key to understanding rules that govern organization biodiversity. We used structural equation modeling and dissimilarities nine ecological variables investigate community processes underlying turnover species their interaction frequencies (interaction pattern) among highly resolved plant–pollinator networks. Floral pollinator composition, i.e., identities abundances, were strong microstructure pairwise...
The rate of non-native species introductions continues to increase, with directionality from continents islands. It is no longer single but entire networks coevolved and newly interacting continental that are establishing on consequences multispecies the population dynamics interactions native introduced will depend form trophic limitation island ecosystems. Freed biotic constraints in their range, islands experience top-down limitation, instead becoming limited by disrupting bottom-up...
The Janzen-Connell model states that plant-specific natural enemies may have a disproportionately large negative effect on progeny close to maternal trees. majority of experimental and theoretical studies addressing the explored how it can explain existing patterns species diversity in tropical mainland areas. Very few investigated model's predictions apply isolated oceanic islands, or conservation management endangered plants. Here, we provide first investigation an island, context. In...
Abstract Habitat fragmentation and changed land use have seriously reduced population size in many tropical forest tree species. Formerly widespread species with limited gene flow may be particularly vulnerable to the negative genetic effects of small size. Vateriopsis seychellarum (Dipterocarpaceae) is a formerly canopy Seychelles, but now 132 adult individuals distributed eleven sites. Using ten microsatellite loci, inventory all trees sample 317 progeny, we demonstrate that despite its...
A double mutualism (DM) occurs when two interacting species benefit each other in different functions, e.g. an animal acts both as pollinator and seed disperser of the same plant. Besides benefit, a DM also imposes larger risk to functions if performance one partner declines. We conducted first global review DMs involving pollinators dispersers, aiming to: 1) assess their prevalence across ecosystems biogeographical regions; 2) identify main plant taxa, traits, implicated DMs; 3) evaluate...
The iconic Lodoicea maldivica palm appears to invest heavily in reproduction, with females bearing the world's largest seeds and males producing copious pollen. We asked how these palms, which grow extremely poor soils, obtain sufficient nutrients support such high levels of reproductive function. Our study site was Vallée de Mai UNESCO Site on Praslin, Seychelles. measured trees' allocations dry matter, nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) aboveground growth quantified stemflow throughfall,...
Effective conservation of ecological communities requires accurate and up-to-date information about whether species are persisting or declining to extinction. The persistence an community is supported by its underlying network interactions. While the supporting whole most relevant scale for conservation, in practice, only small subsets these networks can be monitored. There therefore urgent need establish links between snapshots data conservationists collect, "big picture" conclusions...
Abstract Pollinator diversity and abundance are under direct threat from human activities. Despite societal dependence on pollinators for crop production, humankind continues to drive pollinator declines through agricultural intensification urbanisation. Urban environments can provide refuge some pollinators. There is a need, however, understand how communities be supported in these areas while also considering needs. Public green spaces promising avenue target plant–pollinator conservation...
Abstract Integrating diverse trees and shrubs (hereafter ‘trees’) in agricultural landscapes has emerged as a crucial nature‐based solution to the triple challenge of biodiversity loss, climate change food security. The potential benefits on‐farm for both people nature, however, are often constrained by inadequate consideration local socio‐ecological factors an overall lack species diversity. A deeper understanding what drives farmers' decision‐making diversifying farm is needed ensure that...