Modern approaches to important environmental problems
Plant Ecology and Evolution
The study of plant evolution is not only fascinating scientifically but is also of great environmental importance. Human beings are now the dominant force for evolution, and it is essential that we gain a better understanding of how our activities are affecting evolutionary processes. In the Geobotanical Institute we use modern molecular techniques to investigate evolutionary processes such as the coevolution of plants and their pollinators, microevolution of invasive plant species, evolutionary processes in small isolated alpine populations, and the coevolution of fungi and their host plants.
Our ecological work is also focussed upon urgent environmental problems. We investigate the factors affecting biodiversity in the agricultural landscape using a wide range of techniques including field surveys and experiments, molecular analysis, population modelling and GIS. We have several projects concerned with the ecology of plant invasions including studies in the Seychelles, Africa and North America. In conservation biology we focus on improved management for nature conservation and on the restoration of wetland ecosystems.
Research topics
Plant-pollinator interactions
Evolutionary processes in plants
Evolution of plant-fungal relationships
Biodiversity in agroecosystems
Ecology of invasive plants
Restoration ecology
Interdisciplinary
Management for nature conservation
Environmental processes in large alpine rivers
