Key research themes
1. How have historical climate change and human activities shaped the spatial distribution and fragmentation of Polylepis woodlands over millennia?
This research theme focuses on understanding the paleoecological dynamics of Polylepis woodlands in the tropical Andes across the last 20,000 years, examining how climate fluctuations, glacial cycles, fire regimes, and human population growth influenced the expansion, contraction, and fragmentation of these woodlands. Unraveling these influences is critical to contextualize contemporary woodland patchiness versus natural variation, to inform conservation prioritization, and to assess human impacts over long timescales.
2. What environmental and anthropogenic factors control the life forms and growth morphologies of Polylepis tarapacana at the highest elevations of the South American Altiplano?
This theme investigates how topography, climate gradients, and human land use influence the structural diversity and life form plasticity of Polylepis tarapacana, the highest-elevation tree species globally. Understanding morphological adaptations across environmental gradients is vital for assessing ecological resilience, planning restoration, and managing these fragile tree-line ecosystems.
3. How does habitat structure, fragmentation, and human impact influence avian species richness, community composition, and conservation status in Polylepis woodlands across the Andes?
The aim here is to elucidate the relationships between Polylepis woodland patch size, vegetation structure (including shrub vs. forest successional stages), soil erosion, and anthropogenic disturbance with bird community attributes—species richness, diversity, abundance, and presence of conservation-priority species. This insight informs conservation management, restoration practices, and habitat connectivity strategies essential for preserving Andean montane biodiversity.