doctoral Student: Ana Malhado
Position:
Former Dphil Student (Completed December 2008)Contact:
DPhil Topic:
The functional biogeography of the Amazon forest canopy.
I started my DPhil on the functional biogeography of the Amazon forest canopy in October 2005. My supervisors are Prof Yadvinder Malhi and Prof Rob Whittaker.
In simple words, I want to describe the spatial distribution of different leaf types across the Amazon basin and gain an understanding of the environmental factors that influence these patterns.
Summary of the Research
There is now substantial evidence that tropical forests are responding to global atmospheric change, but in order to appreciate this change we need to understand the interface between forests and the atmosphere: the forest canopy.
The study of plant form and function has taken on an added significance in recent years and there is an obvious need to develop new metrics and methodologies for investigating and assessing the impact of anthropogenic climate change. Given that the leaf characteristics of any species are determined by a combination of genetic factors and the influence of environmental conditions during leaf development, the biogeographic patterns of leaf types may give considerable insights into how the canopy is responding and has responded to the multiplicity of changing environmental variables.
For my thesis, I am advocating a return to the "trait and environment focused route" as a more informative way to investigate the relationships between environmental parameters and plant form and function.
As a source of information and the conceptual basis I am using the RAINFOR database which can be used as a powerful analytical tool to give insights into the functioning of the canopy across the Amazon rainforest. To effectively fulfil my DPhil objectives I am also planning to supplement my data source with collection of data in libraries and herbaria and trips to some of the key Amazonian plots.
My work takes place in the Amazon rainforest – The Amazon region contains the largest remaining area of continuous tropical rainforest in the world and is considered a vital component for maintaining global ecosystem services (hydrological and nutrient cycles). It stretches across more than six million square kilometers and nine countries. The Amazon rainforest is also the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet and may contain vast reserves of yet undiscovered species.
Supervisors: Prof Yadvinder Malhi and Prof Rob Whittaker
Funded by: Clarendon Bursary Award, Overseas Research Scheme (ORS) Award and 2006 ACA Graduate Research Grants – Amazon Conservation Association.