I investigate effects of hunting on tropical forests in French Guiana. Animals are important factors in forest dynamics, and removal of animals by hunting will likely result in long-term changes in forest composition.

Using line transects, I’m measuring differences in seedling and sapling composition between hunted and non-hunted areas, with a focus on functional composition (determined by functional traits of the trees, such as leaf toughness and specific leaf area). I also try to gain a more detailed understanding of how animal-plant interactions, such as seed dispersal and seedling predation are affected.

This project is funded by the Trésor foundation and Utrecht University.