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Project
Modelling and predicting invasive species spread and potential ecological impact in the Azores
This research project aims at both studying and predicting the impact of the major invasive plant species in the Azores archipelago on the native and endemic flora (particularly focusing on Bryophytes) and entomofauna, in the context of climate changes. The strategy is to apply an integrative approach which combines Species Distribution Models (potential ecological niche) and dispersal simulations (migration and colonization), taking advantage of the rich biodiversity databases (abundance and occurences monitoring) and high resolution climatological data (100 m²) available.
As a first step, I will be focusing in particular on Hedychium gardnerianum (listed as one of “The World's 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species" by the IUCN), an introduced ornamental plant escaped from the gardens and spreading into the wild with extensive and high impact on the native and endemic flora and fauna. Using a newly developed research framework I will explore the primary (competition) and secondary (habitat modification) ecological impacts of invasive plants on the Azores archipelago.
As a first step, I will be focusing in particular on Hedychium gardnerianum (listed as one of “The World's 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species" by the IUCN), an introduced ornamental plant escaped from the gardens and spreading into the wild with extensive and high impact on the native and endemic flora and fauna. Using a newly developed research framework I will explore the primary (competition) and secondary (habitat modification) ecological impacts of invasive plants on the Azores archipelago.
Date:1 Jun 2020 → 1 Jun 2022
Keywords:B270-plant-ecology, P510-physical-geography, T120-computer-technology