Tuesday Night Lecture Series: “Herbivores and plant diversity: a comedy of errors.”

Dr. Brent Mortensen

“The talk will be focused on two projects examining how herbivores help maintain plant diversity.  The first project uses mathematical models to describe conditions in which herbivores can boost plant diversity, even when one plant is clearly dominant over the other.  The second considers what factors limit early plant growth and how herbivores contribute to these.  Throughout, I will provide insights I gained the hard way that I hope will be helpful to students early in their careers.”