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Genetic biodiversity

Biodiversity is necessary for human well-being, yet is declining due to human-caused global change. Contemporary biodiversity patterns are the outcome of the long-term interplay between ecological and evolutionary forces acting on individuals, populations, and communities. However, the specific processes that maintain and spatially organize biodiversity remain unclear.

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We aim to link population-level evolutionary processes to patterns of biodiversity across genes and species using population genetics, and to apply this knowledge to conservation practice and understand biodiversity responses to global change.

 

Check out our approach and specific research areas below.

MACROGENETICS

Map of the data so far. Collection is a work in progress!

We leverage 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.

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Macrogenetics as a field addresses population genetics questions at broad spatial and taxonomic scales.

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.

POPULATION GENETIC RESPONSES TO 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.

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