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Long-term research goals
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To understand the ecological and evolutionary causes of high
tree species diversity in tropical rain forests.
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To work towards a new synthesis of community ecology and
phylogenetic theory.
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To help develop the knowledge and skills needed for the
restoration of diverse forest on deforested tropical land.
A sample of specific research
questions
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What is the role of the seedling stage in the maintenance of high
tree species diversity? (thesis research)
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How do density dependence and habitat partitioning
contribute to high diversity in rain forest? (thesis research)
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How does the species composition of rain forest vary as a
function of (regional-scale) distance, in the absence of
habitat gradients? I.e., what is the influence of the
within-range abundance structure of species on overall
forest composition?
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How does variation in the ontogenetic development of
tree seedlings map onto phylogenetic relationships?
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