Research | BioScales Lab

Explore our research

At BioScales Lab, we focus on understanding biodiversity change and its implications for both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Our research addresses three complementary themes: (1) patterns and processes of biodiversity dynamics across space and time, (2) ecological interactions, and (3) the effects of global change on biodiversity. To explore these themes, we integrate theoretical frameworks, statistical tools, and field-based methods across multiple spatial (from local to global) and temporal (from days to decades) scales.

Biodiversity dynamics

A thorough understanding of biodiversity requires measuring its multiple dimensions: species, functional traits, and community-level indices, such as taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. By examining biodiversity across spatial and temporal scales, we aim to uncover the natural and human-driven processes shaping its dynamics. This integrated perspective supports more effective conservation and ecosystem management across different scales.

Ecological interactions

Biological interactions may be positive, negative, or neutral for the individuals involved, both within and between species. These interactions can affect individual fitness, community structure, and even the functioning of entire ecosystems. Here, we combine network ecology and functional diversity metrics to assess the emergent properties of marine seascapes.

Human impacts

Loss of key species in tropical areas may lead to lower functionality and reduced ecosystem health and productivity. Identifying which species and traits can be lost is key to understanding changes in ecosystem processes and services. Here, we use the taxonomic occurrence of species in terrestrial and marine communities to assign functional groups that support separate state-and-transition models.