We aim to link population-level evolutionary processes to patterns of biodiversity across genetic, species, and community levels using population genetics. Our goal is to apply this knowledge to conservation practice and to understand how biodiversity as a whole responds to global change.
Check out our specific research areas below.
GENETICS, BIOGEOGRAPHY, & MACROECOLOGY
Biodiversity patterns are well described at the species level, but are little understood at the genetic level. We study the biogeography of genetic diversity across species at continental to global scales, its causes, and relationships with other levels of biodiversity.
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By cohesively studying biodiversity across organizational levels we can better understand the processes that organize and maintain it.
Figure from Schmidt et al. (pre-print)
Figure from Schmidt et al. Proc R Soc B 2020
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL CHANGE
We study how human land use transforms evolutionary processes (genetic drift and gene flow) across species and implications for the long-term persistence of wildlife populations.
We are particularly interested in urbanization and its effects on genetic diversity. Cities are environments with landscape structures shaped by biotic, abiotic, and human socio-cultural factors. We specifically focus on the intersection of urban evolution and human environmental inequity.
CONSERVATION
Assessing and monitoring genetic diversity at scale is a difficult conservation task.
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Aggregating existing genetic data can make genetic data more accessible for conservation purposes. We are interested in using macrogenetics to inform conservation genetics policy and develop useful metrics that are generalizable across species.
Figure from Schmidt et al. Trends Genet 2023
MACROGENETICS
Map of the data so far. Collection is a work in progress!
Our approach to these topics leverages previously published, publicly accessible genetic datasets to understand genetic biodiversity and evolution within and across species. We use data synthesis and statistical approaches to study big-picture questions and to understand the extent to which patterns and processes are generalizable across species and space.