Demographics & spatial distribution

Understanding how seed dispersal influences the distribution and dynamics of plant populations in space.

Seed dispersal by animals directly influences how plant populations become established, grow, and are distributed across natural landscapes. The movement of dispersers connects forest fragments, promotes gene flow, and contributes to the maintenance of biological diversity across different spatial scales.

Our group investigates how local ecological processes are connected to regional patterns of biodiversity. We seek to understand how changes in animal behavior, landscape structure, and ecological interactions affect species population dynamics and the organization of ecological communities.

By integrating empirical data, spatial models, and ecological theory, we develop approaches to understand how networks of interactions between plants and frugivores respond to environmental transformations. These studies help reveal the mechanisms that sustain ecosystem resilience and guide strategies for biodiversity conservation and restoration.