To learn more about the lab I work in, click here THE FEELEY LAB

My broader research interests include species adaptations to climate change, environmental conservation in developing countries, avian ecology, and plant/animal interactions. Conducting my research in the tropical montane cloud forests of Manu National Park, Peru allows me to pursue all my research interests while working in an understudied but extremely important and biodiverse ecosystem.

As these forests adapt to a changing climate, grasslands above current timberline are one area where forests may expand with future warming. My research focuses on the role of seed dispersal and variation in microclimate across vegetation gradients to model future forest expansion into currently unforested grasslands. To learn about ongoing research visit the Research Activities link. Specifically I will focus on:

1. 1)How small patches of forest found above timberline will affect future tropical forest conservation
   

2. 2)If seed dispersal and seedling establishment of forest plant species is restricted in the puna, preventing future upward expansion of montane forests
   

3. 3)How do microclimate and habitat variables vary across the timberline ecotone and what that means for future forest expansion