We study how biotic and abiotic environmental factors influence the fitness of different genotypes (in natural populations) and how these fitness differences lead to genetic change. We start from a theoretical framework. Modelling and determining the direction and strength of selective agents allows us to use experimental data from laboratory and field experiments to test quantitative and qualitative predictions on evolution and optimization.
Research projects
- The evolutionary ecology of plant reproduction.
- Ecology and evolution of herbivory and plant defence systems
- Minimum lenght of participation in the project: 5 - 6 months.
Prerequisites
- A profound knowledge of ecology is necessary.
Faculty Department
Faculty of Science / Institute of Biology
The Institute of Biology (IBL) brings together biologists working in many different subdisciplines (from ecology to evolutionary biology to molecular biology and metabolomics). Research focuses on different levels, from molecule to cell, to organism to population. Studies deal with microorganisms, plants, fungi and animals (mainly insects and fish). Details can be found at the website of the IBL.