My research interests lie in community ecology, specifically pollination. Luckily, the neotropics offer a great opportunity to study diverse pollinator communities!
For my PhD, I am investigating how plant–pollinator interactions contribute to the recovery of the Ecuadorian Chocó rainforest following agricultural disturbance. Working across the recovery gradient framework of Reassembly, from active pastures to undisturbed old-growth forest, I examine how pollen moves through recovering ecosystems by studying the functional traits, abundance, and spatial distribution of both pollinators and floral resources.
This project covers a wide diversity of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, bats, and hummingbirds. By linking pollinator traits with patterns of pollen movement, I aim to understand how different species contribute to ecological recovery across regenerating forest sites. I also investigate floral traits to determine which resources attract different pollinator groups and how these relationships shape ecosystem reassembly.
In addition, I use drone imagery combined with machine learning techniques to quantify floral resources within the forest canopy and surrounding landscapes. This approach allows me to assess patterns of pollen limitation across sites and better understand how the landscape heterogeneity influences pollination processes.
By combining all these elements, I hope to provide an insight into how the ecosystem service of pollination is key in the reassembly of disturbed tropical rainforests.
