Jennifer Rudgers

Research Interests:

Ecological theory has traditionally held that abiotic factors and antagonistic interactions are the primary determinants of population and community dynamics. In contrast, mutualistic interactions, in which both species benefit from their association, have received much less attention. My research program uses plants, arthropods, and microbes to explore how mutualistic interactions affect population dynamics, community structure, and evolution.  Mutualistic microbes, in particular, contribute an important, but often overlooked, layer of diversity in ecosystems, and their inclusion in ecological research can increase the realism of both experiments and theory.

Throughout my research, I strive to tackle questions with both conceptual and applied significance. Advanced knowledge of the importance of mutualisms in both natural and managed ecosystems can help us to make better predictions about the ecological and evolutionary consequences of environmental change.