Sreekar Rachakonda

Biography

Measuring Beta-diversity: What is beta-diversity and how to measure it? Beta diversity is the site-to-site variation in species diversity, and is traditionally measured as the ratio between gamma (regional) diversity and alpha (local) diversity. Multiple measures have been proposed since then. However, there is a lack of consensus among ecologists on the use of a standardised measure, mainly due to the correlation between gamma- and beta-diversity. We are using data from simulations, large tree plots in Panama and Malaysia, and other published data to understand the causes and consequences of contrasting results in beta-diversity studies. Beta-diversity in different habitats at different spatial scales: Is beta-diversity higher in the tropics? Niche compression hypothesis predicts high beta-diversity in hyper-diverse communities. But, ecologists haven't reached to an agreement yet. For example, basic questions like variation in beta-diversity across latitudinal gradients, and differences in beta-diversity between natural and human-modified landscapes are still being debated among community ecologists. We are using standardised tree data from multiple CTFS plots across Asia-Pacific, and standardised bird data from rainforests of Sri Lanka and South India to determine the drivers of beta-diversity in different habitats at multiple scales.

Research Interest

Medicine,Medical Education,Research,etc