Research
Taxonomic and Functional Diversity in Bird Communities from the Atlantic Forest
The aim of this project is to understand how bird funcional diversity is associated with determinant and random factors at a large scale. We want to understand how taxonomic and functional diversity is distributed along different ecological gradients. We also seek to understand how landscape change is affecting biodiversity at the taxonomic and functional level and identify trade-offs between species traits and distribution patterns along the Atlantic rainforest.
Ecology and Conservation of the Kaempfer's Tody-tyrant (Hemitriccus kaempferi): an Endemism From the Southern Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil
Human activities are responsible for the biodiversity loss we are currently facing. The development of conservation strategies is essencial to prevent the future extinction of species. However, there is a lack of basic biological and ecological information for many endangered species, which can hinder the formulation of appropriate management plans. In this study, we will gather basic information on the biology and ecology of H. kaempferi in order to to determine its: i) potential geographic distribution; ii) reproductive biology; iii) population ecology; and iv) bioacoustics.
Picture by Guilherme Willrich
Ecology and Evolution of Invasive Species
Invasive species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. However, they also provide a great opportunity to study fundamental questions in ecology and evolutionary biology due to the large spatial and temporal scale of these "unplanned experiments". In this area of research we are trying to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes involved in the establishment and expansion of invasive species. We have different on-going projects at both the species level, but also at the community level. For example, we use the house sparrow as a model system to understand how the invasion process affects population genetics, parasite-host interactions and sexual selection. But we also use species distribution models to try and identify hotspots of invasion to test different predictors of invasion success, such as climate matching and propagule pressure. We are also interested in identifying potential functional traits associated with invasive species, and how they can be used to test the vacant niche hypothesis.
Diversity Patterns and Macroecology of Avian Haemosporidians
We are currently facing a large emergence of infectious diseases in both human and wildlife. The study of diversity, ecology and evolution of parasites is important for the understanding of questions on speciation, co-evolution, host use specialization, virulence and host shifts. All of which will allow a better understating of the ecological and evolutionary processes involved in the spread of diseases. Our group is currently involved in describing broad-scale patterns of diversity and potential mechanisms involved in the the distribution of avian haemosporidians. We hope to identify the ecological and evolutionary processes involved in the structuring of avian haemosporidians assemblages.
Application of Species Distribution Models to the Biodiversity of Brazil
The recent advances in the availability of climatic, environmental and ecological data at large scales provides the possibility of applying ecological niche theory at large spatial scales. Our research on this topic pretends to use this theoretical background to understand biodiversity patterns in tropical regions, as well as the use of species distribution models as a tool for the development of conservation and management policies.