Ecological & Evolutionary consequences of huricanes

Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, it is imperative to understand how ecological and evolutionary processes influence ecosystem recovery from these events. There is a growing understanding that extreme weather events are important agents of natural selection and have profound impacts on species interactions. We are investigating if hurricane-driven selection on the phenotypes of key predators affects the pace and trajectory of ecosystem recovery from hurricane disturbance. To do this, we are studying ecosystems recently impacted by a devastatingly strong hurricane in the Bahamas, where the eyewall of Hurricane Dorian passed within 5km of our long-term study site.