In the Lab of Animal Ecology we work on a range of subjects in whole organism biology, but we focus on evolutionary ecology, which is concerned with the ways organisms respond adaptively to changes in their social, ecological, and physical environment. Our model species include native bats (e.g. flying-foxes; ghost bats) and birds (e.g. cuckoos, reed warblers, lyrebirds, bowerbirds, larks), and invasive species (e.g. foxes), but we are not limited to these taxonomic groups.
We also have strong, parallel interests in conservation and climate change biology, and particularly in the impacts of extreme weather and climate events on biodiversity. Here much of our work is about building a mechanistic understanding of the vulnerability of biodiversity to extreme events, and about identifying areas in the landscape that provide refugia from climate change. The Lab of Animal Ecology is led by Dr Justin A. Welbergen, and is home to an international ensemble of researchers with high-profile projects on charismatic species in remote parts of the world. Get involved! |