Biological Invasions: Resilience Through Reframing

Human activities undeniably alter the Earth’s ecosystems. But where some see negative impacts, I see opportunities. Humans are ecosystem engineers with the potential to reclaim degraded spaces through evidence-based restoration and build new ecosystems integrated into the urban landscapes where we live. My research blends the guiding principles of ecosystem restoration with the novel environments and opportunities present in urban ecology. Using field techniques and trait-based approaches informed by the natural history and interrelationships of organisms, I seek to understand the mechanisms underlying ecosystem functions and employ them to develop and maintain multifunctional ecosystems where people need them most. I work with both institutional and individual stakeholders to identify their needs and direct my research approaches to achieve both understanding of basic ecological principles and valuable, timely, scalable applications of those principles to improve the situations of people and their environments. My talk will cover the conceptual tools I employ, my master’s research in tallgrass prairie restoration, my PhD research in urban pollinator ecology, and the interdisciplinary projects I plan to pursue next.