This seminar is run by the Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests, an Oxford Martin School Centre

Summary: Density-dependent or distance-dependent ‘pest pressure’ (sometimes called ‘Janzen-Connell’ or ‘feedback’ effects) is a leading explanation for the maintenance of species-rich plant assemblages. Plant distributions and dynamics consistent with this process are widely observed in tropical forest vegetation plots, but the mechanisms underlying these patterns remain poorly understood. This talk will focus on recent work in Belize, using manipulative field experiments to investigate the role of natural enemies (particularly plant-feeding insects and plant pathogens) in maintaining the high diversity of tropical forest trees.

Speaker: Dr Owen Lewis, University Lecturer in Ecology, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford

Venue: H O Beckit Room, Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford

The seminars will be followed by drinks

For further information please contact jane.applegarth@eci.ox.ac.uk | +44 (0)1865 285190 (Direct)