dr. ASP (Amanda) Taylor

My research aims at disentangling plant diversity patterns across multiple spatial scales and taxonomic groups, and lies at the interface between community ecology, macroecology, and conservation biology. I am particularly interested in understanding (1) how contemporary and historical environmental factors, phylogeny and plant functional traits shape global patterns of plant diversity, (2) the role of species interactions in governing biodiversity patterns, and (3) how we can incorporate different facets of biodiversity (e.g., taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic) in conservation priority setting. To address these fundamental questions, I integrate data collected from the field, DNA sequencing, and data collated from world-leading plant distribution databases, climatologies, and mega-phylogenies. My favourite taxonomic groups to study include orchids, vascular epiphytes, and oceanic island floras.