I am a community ecologist broadly interested in how anthropogenic disturbance affects
plant-pollinator and plant-herbivore interactions. I use both observations and experiments
in my research to address concepts and theories in community ecology. My experience
includes insect (especially bee) identification, experience with GIS, and proficiency
with sophisticated analytical techniques; skills that are critical for addressing
plant and pollinator success in a world where human activities have had and will
continue to have dramatic effects on the biodiversity and resilience of natural communities.
In addition to the conservation impetus, human dominated landscapes can also provide
excellent and tractable study systems to develop and explore ecological and evolutionary
hypotheses. My research focuses primarily on the effects of land-use on bee communities
and in turn, plants that depend on bees for pollination. This is timely and pertinent,
given worldwide concern over the status of both managed and wild pollinators and
the pollination services they provide to wild plants and agricultural crops. Results
from this line of research are broadly applicable to both the conservation of biodiversity
and the sustainability of ecosystem services, and can provide scientifically sound
context for the development of ecologically informed conservation and development
planning.
