Research interest
My broad-scale research interests are in the area of forest or plant ecology, particularly related to multiple abiotic and biotic controls on ecosystem functions and processes. I am interested in to evaluate the underlying ecological mechanisms for explaining biodiversity – ecosystem functioning relationship in a changing environment. Plant functional traits, demography, and trees' size variation across space and time, as well as across forest biomes, are the main characteristics of my research. Using the multivariate statistical modeling (such as structural equation modeling) approach, I evaluate the multivariate relationships amongst environmental factors, multiple metrics of biodiversity and species/functional composition, and ecosystem functioning particularly aboveground biomass, carbon storage, and productivity in natural (subtropical, tropical, and temperate) forests, agroforestry systems, rangelands, and alpine plant communities. Most of my previous studies have focused on the biodiversity – ecosystem functioning relationship at both local and regional scales. Currently, I evaluate the macro-ecological mechanisms underpinning biodiversity – ecosystem functioning at global and/ or pantropical scales. I am also leading the Global Forest Diversity, Structure and Function (i.e. GlobalFDSF) research network.