Using Data Science to Understand Complex Patterns and Processes
Forests of the Future
ALTA
Altitudinal Transect across the Americas is our long-term forest dynamics plot network spanning from sea to summit. We are combining measurements of plant diversity, survival, and growth with global databases to understand shifting forest compositions. Our work spans lowland tropical dry forests, tropical rain and cloud forests, and temperate deciduous and evergreen forests.
Tropical Phenology
Phenology, the seasonality of natural systems, is dominated by temperate forest research. For this reason we have no general theory to describe the incredible variation of tropical forest phenology. VERDE is an NSF-funded ESIIL supported working group where we are examining the evolutionary origins, biogeographic distribution, and ecological futures of tropical deciduousness from the Caribbean to Mexico and Central to South America.
Unusual Soils
The central thesis of plant ecology is that climate drives the world’s diversity gradients. Soils, however, play a large and overlooked role. Using satellite imagery, geospatial data, and botanical records we are discovering how soils and climate interact to give rise to some of the world’s most diverse, strange, and seemingly inhabitable ecosystems.
