The lab focuses on plant-animal interactions and environmental change. We are interested in basic research in ecology, such as trophic interactions (e.g. plant-herbivore interactions) and their spatial variations across latitude or altitude. By studying plants, herbivores, predators, and omnivores, we have been investigating trophic interactions at both local and geographic scales. We are also interested in ecological applications, such as assessing the impact of environmental change (e.g. climate change) on plant-animal communities, and applying ecology to conservation or agriculture (e.g. biocontrol).

近年研究主題

• Plant-animal interactions across altitudinal gradients in Taiwan: 

a) Plant and herbivore performance across altitude. 

b) Altitudinal variation in an invasive plant’s effect on a native plant and associated butterflies.

• Climate change in agricultural systems: Warming impact on crop production (plant), pest outbreak (herbivore), and biocontrol effectiveness (predator).

• Climate change in natural systems

a) How may climate warming affect a native butterfly (Pieris canidia), an invasive butterfly (P. rapae), and their nectar plant across altitude? 

b) How will climate change (elevated temperature and CO2) affect a native butterfly, an invasive butterfly, and their competition on host plants?

• Ecosystem service (biocontrol) in agricultural system: 

a) Use stable isotope to evaluate the biocontrol efficacy of arthropod generalist predations (spiders and ladybugs) in organic and conventional rice paddies. 

b) Apply ecology (e.g., reducing intraguild predation) to increase biocontrol in rice paddies.