Biodiversity is in crisis as human activity drives environmental change at every scale, from local habitat loss to global warming. Yet we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental ecological processes that drive biodiversity patterns, leaving us under-equipped to prevent further biodiversity loss. To address this, scientists like me are delving into the intricate workings of ecosystems to understand how different species interact and thrive in ever-changing environments.

My research extends theories of biodiversity central to ecology by developing and testing general theory for biodiversity change in ecological systems. I draw on mathematical tools from biology, physics and information theory to forecast biodiversity change in variable environments. I use computer models and real-world data to  explore how species form dynamic communities in nature.

My work revolves around three key areas:

Research themes

The Value of Information in Nature 

Life in our ever-shifting world relies heavily on information processing. This is true across scales of life, from the biomolecular networks to populations of organisms using cues from their surroundings to survive and thrive. By blending ecological theory and information science, I’m working with scientists like Mary O’Connor to uncover how information affects the survival of different species.

Universal dynamics in biological system

There is tremendous potential for insight into complex natural systems by looking for universal, system-independent properties. This is regularly done in statistical mechanics, where many complex physical systems are known to share similar properties that place them into universality classes. Dynamic information theory (DIT) – an extension of classical information theory – takes a unique perspective on universal, system-independent properties that promises to shed light on fundamental questions about the mechanisms driving phenomena across diverse biological scales.

Coexistence in Diverse Environments

Communities of different species coexist, but how they do so amidst diverse environments remains a puzzle. Through experiments and theoretical models, I study how species compete and survive in changing landscapes. Collaborating with researchers like Jonathan Levine and Jake Alexander, I explore how shifts in climate impact the biodiversity of alpine plant communities.

Thriving in Variable Environments

In forests worldwide, seasonal climate variation influences the diversity of tree species. I investigate how seasonal changes, combined with competition among species, affect forest ecosystems. Partnering with scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the NSF-LTER, and many other leading researchers worldwide, I analyze data from forests across the globe to understand why certain regions support more diverse ecosystems than others. Our findings shed light on how competition and environmental factors shape biodiversity patterns.