I am an evolutionary biologist interested in the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that have led to the immense biodiversity on our planet. In my line of research, I make use of biogeography and phylogenetic reconstructions to answer questions regarding the spatial and ecological patterns of contemporary biodiversity.
For my current project, I study the macroevolutionary impact of anthropogenic pressure on insular mammals worldwide. Islands contribute disproportionately to global biodiversity and showcase high levels of endemicity, but many are heavily affected by human activity. In order to protect their threatened biotas, it is crucial to understand the distribution of both present and threatened biodiversity on islands. Therefore, I analyse the distribution of threatened insular mammalian diversity from both a taxonomic and a phylogenetic perspective, in order to examine whether phylogenetic diversity reveals previously unnoticed geographical hotspots of threatened mammalian faunas.
Keywords
Island biogeography, phylogenetic diversity, threatened diversity, mammals, conservation