K.J. (Koen) van Benthem, PhD
Research interests
Multiscale eco-evolutionary processes
Eco-evolutionary processes frequently involve multiple spatial scales simultaneously. One can for example imagine chick survival to be dependent on both the local density (the number of siblings in the same nest), as well as the regional density (the number of nests in the area). I am generally interested in the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes that occur over multiple scale simultaneously. Currently I have focused mainly on theoretical exploration on these topics, but I am shifting towards more empirical systems, describing for example partial migration in Arctic charr, and density patterns in fur seal.
Recovering individual-level process from population level data
Can we use information on the population level to reconstruct what is happening on an individual level? For example, if we know how average body size changes over time, can we infer how body size might be affecting individual life histories?