We are located at UNAM-ENES Mérida (Mérida, México). Research in our lab addresses the ecological drivers and consequences of species interactions, particularly those occurring across three trophic levels between plants, insect herbivores and predators in natural or agricultural systems. To this end, we use greenhouse and field experiments, as well as observational studies along ecological gradients, where a special emphasis is given to quantifying the relative effects of different sources of variation in plant traits on higher tropic levels (e.g. plant genotype effects, genotypic and species diversity, abiotic factors). In doing so, our aim is to understand the mechanisms by which these plant-based effects propagate up food chains as well as potential feedbacks where consumers in turn influence plants.
Research in the Abdala-Roberts lab has been or is currently supported by the following institutions:
