Ballantyne Lab

Overview

Research in the lab spans multiple subfields of ecology but is unified by the desire to link robust empirical patterns to the processes responsible for their generation. We develop theory and models, grounded in empirical data, in an attempt to udnerstand fundamental ecological principles. Broad research interests often lead us to collaborate across disciplines and institutions.

Our interests range from the study of single species population dynamics to the comprehensive description of nutrient flow through ecosystems. Ultimately, our goal is to link interactions within and across all levels of ecological organization to biogeochemical cycles in order to predict how entire ecosystems will respond to disturbance.

"What is wanted is not the will to beleive, but the wish to find out, which is its exact opposite." - Bertrand Russell

"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future." - Niels Bohr

All models are wrong, some models are useful." - George Box