Pollen and seeds represent the only opportunities plants have to move their genes in the landscape. In this research area, I focus on both analytic and empirical approaches to studying pollen and seed dispersal in plant populations. I work with two oak species, Quercus agrifolia and Q. lobata. In oaks, pollen is wind-dispersed while seeds are dispersed by a variety of animals. My dispersal projects include:

1. Analysis of seed dispersal patterns using hierarchical α, β, and γ diversity measures.
2. Comparative foraging behavior of acorn woodpeckers on Quercus lobata and Q. agrifolia.
3. Assignment of maternal and paternal parents to progeny, and analysis of genetic diversity contributions to progeny from each parent.
4. The consequences of individual variation in dispersal patterns. Individuals which disperse pollen and/or seeds within populations may vary not only in their fecundity but their dispersal ability – the relative densities of pollen/seeds at varying distances away from the source. This work is currently underway.
5. Together with graduate student Pam Thompson, I am synthesizing datasets representing the foraging behavior of acorn woodpeckers across multiple years and multiple oak species.   This work is currently underway.