Current research
The radiation of seed mass strategies worldwide
We have arrayed seed mass data for 12,994 species from all around the world on a phylogenetic tree. We are using this information to quantify where and when in the history of the angiosperms the major divergences in seed mass occurred, and to assess how closely changes in seed mass have been associated with changes in growth form, dispersal mode, vegetation type, climate and latitude. This research is being done in collaboration with David Ackerly, Cam Webb, Mark Westoby, John Tweddle, John Dickie and Andy Pitman.

Future research
Latitudinal gradients in biotic processes affecting plant growth and establishment. (from July 2004)
The idea that plant-animal interactions are more intense in the tropics underpins much thinking about tropical ecology, global patterns in plant traits, and latitudinal gradients in biodiversity. In this project, we will provide the first direct and global test of this idea by quantifying the intensity of herbivory, seed predation and density-dependent seedling mortality at approximately 100 study sites around the world. We will also investigate the causes of these latitudinal gradients by determining which environmental variables are most closely associated with the strength of biotic interactions. This project will be done in collaboration with Phyllis (Lissy) Coley, Bill Foley and Mark Westoby.