Welcome to our Laboratory

Studies in our research group varied in scope but most have four main focuses:

1. The effect of invasive species on native biota at various scales of organization with emphasis on Mona Island Reserve, Puerto Rico.
2. Bioconservation in tropical systems with different foci.
3. Distribution of genetic and morphological variation in tropical plants.
4. Population dynamics of plants with limited distribution.
5. The mechanisms of evolution of floral traits and, in particular, whether traits are currently under the influence of natural selection.

Other research interests include the relationship between environmental gradients and distribution of orchid species. Studies involve have laboratory and field components and sites include Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles. The laboratory director is Elvia Melendez-Ackerman, a faculty member of the InstituteTropical Ecosystem Studies, the Center for Applied Tropical Ecology and Conservation and the Biology Graduate Program of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.

For specific information on particular projects, contacts or funding opportunities please see our Web page.