Macroecology

The main focus of this research area is understanding how spatial climatic variation, expressed in latitudinal and altitudinal gradients, affects the distribution, abundance and endurance of species. Our team develops mathematical models for studying the impact of climate change on species, uses genetic tools to examine the consequences of changes in abundance and distribution, and conducts experiments to test hypotheses concerning these changes. They also model the distribution of species across the planet – and particularly in Chile – according to different climate change scenarios, with a view to designing mitigation and adaptation policies such as a network of protected areas that will be resistant to changes in climate.