We use interdisciplinary approaches to examine variation in seed dispersal and consequences for plant peformance, populations, and communities. (Illustration from Beckman et al 2020).

Using field, lab, and greenhouse experiments, we examine how variation in plant performance is explained by the abiotic and biotic environment, functional traits, and shared evolutionary history among plants.

To examine the relative influence of dispersal, natural enemies, and limiting resources on plant communities, we develop and evaluate spatial models with empirical studies.

We use interdisciplinary approaches to investigate how dispersal disruption will alter plant populations, communities, and ecosystems.

We integrate dispersal ecology with demography to gain insight into plant populations. (Image credit: M. Pintar and Schreiber & Beckman 2020)

We use comparative metabolomics, observational field studies, and phylogenetically-controlled experimentation to examine why plants produce different chemical compounds. (Image credit: Elsa Jos)