IGS: Current and Recent Graduate Research
Emily Coffey
A novel multi-proxy approach for investigating 'Doubtful Natives': a case study of the Galápagos Islands
Supervisor(s):
- Professor Katherine J. Willis
- Dr Cynthia Froyd
Contact Info:
- Email: emily.coffey@ouce.ox.ac.uk
Academic Profile
Emily is a member of the Long-Term Ecology Laboratory working with the Galapagos Islands project on restoring native biological diversity.
Current Research
The Galápagos Islands represent an outstanding showcase of biodiversity and are globally valued for their importance in scientific enlightenment and ecological value. However, during the past five hundred years in which humans have been visiting the Islands, the introduction of non-native species and habitat degradation have been changing the islands' natural ecosystems. Emily's research will help address the questions of the 'doubtful natives' - species for which it is currently unknown whether they are native or introduced. To date there are 60 'doubtful natives', distributed among 27 families requiring immediate attention to aid in the conservation and restoration policies, which this study hopes to specifically categorize. Her research combines sedimentary analysis in conjunction with current vegetation community studies, to reconstruct the long-term impact of natural disturbance and human presence on the native plant communities in the Galápagos. A multi-proxy approach has been taken when analyzing the sedimentary record; plant macrofossils, testate amoebae, fossil grass cuticles, and fossil pollen are being investigated. Samples from multiple islands and three vegetation/altitudinal zones are being examined to help address the 'doubtful native' question. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide long-term, historical baseline data in combination with modern data - information that has immediate applicability and impact to both the conservation and restoration of native biodiversity in Galápagos.