Andrew Davies
I have been fascinated with all things natural for as long as I can remember. Understanding how ecosystems are ordered and what governs the structure we can observe are overarching questions in all of my research. In my lab, we focus on four main topics. The first is how structural heterogeneity is created and maintained in ecosystems: what are the drivers of heterogeneity, how are they changing, and how do these processes alter the structure and composition of ecosystems? Related to this, we study how ecosystem engineers, like termites and elephants, directly and indirectly modify the ecosystems in which they live, and how these modifications cascade through trophic levels to affect heterogeneity, biodiversity and ecosystem function. Similarly, we are interested in predator-prey interactions and how top predators influence the abundance and behavior of their herbivore prey, and how these interactions shape landscapes. Finally, we apply what we learn through our research to the conservation and management of species and landscapes.