Presentation

We study the ecological responses of individuals, populations and communities to environmental variability.

In particular, we are interested in how spatial environmental variability affects behavioural patterns linked to dispersal, habitat selection, inter- and intraspecific communication, sexual selection, and local species interactions.

Within this framework, we pay particular attention to the role of conspecifics as potential partners and information source.

We use a variety of methods to address these research questions, from field observations and experiments, to laboratory measurements (in immunology, molecular biology, and the analysis of acoustic and optical signals), and mathematical modeling. We are interested in a wide range of animal taxa, yet with a marked preference for birds (passerines and seabirds) and primates.

The majority of our research activities have marked conservation implications, such as the impact of habitat fragmentation, extinction dynamics, the design of marine protected areas, and the dynamics of wildlife-borne pathogens.