Our research aims at understanding the ecological, evolutionary and eco-evolutionary dynamics of species’ adaptations, their consequences for population dynamics, persistence and diversification, and for species’ responses to rapid environmental changes.

We are especially interested in spatial dynamics, and how the interactions between spatial process, ecology and evolution, shape the distributions of within species adaptations, of community assembly and of species and populations’ responses to perturbations.

We focus on the interplay of different processes and behaviours such as demography and mating systems, dispersal, local adaptation and genetic load, and inter-specific interactions, with the biotic and abiotic environment, that shape species’ eco-evolutionary dynamics.

We use a mix of theoretical modelling techniques, mainly eco-evolutionary individual-based models, and experimental systems, to develop new theory, striking the balance between generality and the necessary complexity to move ecological and evolutionary theory forward. In parallel, we develop process-based models to translate this fundamental understanding into applications that can improve our ability to effectively predict and manage species’ responses to global changes and threats.

Current research focuses on:

Understanding how evolution of life-histories such as dispersal and mating system, ongoing local adaptation to novel conditions, population genetic effects, and interspecific interactions, might interplay and feedback to spatial population dynamics, to affect species’ range dynamics and persistence under environmental changes (see ESEB STN; EcoGenetics Centre).

Developing process-based models that integrate key (interacting) mechanisms underpinning species’ eco-evolutionary responses to global change to deliver more holistic and robust predictive capability and aid management interventions (see the RangeShifter platform; and EcoCode).