I have always been interested in how plants interact with their environment and respond to different stressors on both physiological and metabolic levels. After focusing on plant ecology during my studies, I am now excited to investigate ecological processes at the community level, particularly the mechanisms underlying tree-herbivore interactions across different stages of rainforest recovery.
As part of SP6, I aim to understand the interactions among herbivorous insects, epiphylls, and plant defense mechanisms, including both volatile and non-volatile metabolites. In addition to leaf chemistry, defense compounds associated with epiphylls may contribute to insect deterrence, with potential consequences for tree communities. However, epiphylls are highly sensitive to microclimatic conditions, and their role in plant-environment interactions remains poorly understood.
I am also interested in how these interactions differ between pioneer and climax species and how they contribute to patterns of forest reassembly. With increasing forest age, both plant defense compounds and epiphyll abundance are expected to increase, potentially resulting in reduced herbivory and a higher degree of herbivore specialization.
