Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at LAfayette
Members of The Westerband Lab are interested in understanding how plants respond and adapt to the environment.
We combine greenhouse experiments, field campaigns, and mathematical modelling to understand how phenotypic variation influences various biological processes, including population and community dynamics, species interactions, and ecosystem scale fluxes.
We combine greenhouse experiments, field campaigns, and mathematical modelling to understand how phenotypic variation influences various biological processes, including population and community dynamics, species interactions, and ecosystem scale fluxes.
Traits and performanceWe develop demographic models that allow us to understand how the environment influences population change over time. Our aim is to examine how plant traits interact with environmental properties to influence fitness, through the lens of population biology. |
Plasticity and intraspecific variationWe are interested in the mechanisms that constrain or enhance trait variation within species, and how this influences ecological processes, such as invasion. By clarifying links between trait variation and ecological processes, we hope to improve conservation efforts. |
economics and ecologyWe investigate and describe how plants balance inputs of resources to maximize their performance or fitness. We combine greenhouse and field-based experiments to elucidate the effects of resource limitation on ecological processes using plant traits including physiology. |
Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in plant ecology or ecophysiology? Reach out for more information!
Much of our work focuses on understanding why native plant species are outcompeted by non-native invasives. We compare plant resource use strategies, including photosynthetic physiology, anatomy, and chemistry, and how these vary across and within species.
