Jonathan Levine, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will illustrate the importance of basic population and community ecology in understanding — and predicting — how changing species interactions influence the way ecosystems respond to climate change. Levine will draw from field experiments that expose plants to novel competitors under warmer climate conditions — as well as laboratory experiments on how evolutionary processes influence plant migration — to argue for the interconnected nature of basic ecological research and research motivated by the need to solve pressing environmental challenges.

Corina Tarnita, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Program in Environmental Studies, will lead a discussion and Q&A after the main presentation.

This event will be held online via Zoom webinar — register online in advance to receive a webinar link. Levine is the final speaker in the Fall 2020 HMEI Faculty Seminar Series, which is open to the public.