Research
My work focuses on the study of the biology and ecology of organisms, analyzing the interactions among species and with the ecosystem that they inhabit. Thus, I analyze biologic, ecologic, morphologic and behavioural variability of individuals (inter and intraspecific), to recognize the evolutionary processes of species (short and long term); and the influence of external antropogenic factors on their development. This information help to undertand the evolutionary process and the selection pressures acting on organisms, and on each of the ecosystems they inhabit.
©Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera
Morphological variability.
This line focuses on understanding the processes of phenotypic variability on the shape of organisms and their structures, with taxonomic or morphological diversity purposes.
The goal is to understand how the structures work and the biological, ecological and environmental reasons that cause morphological variation in the biological structures of organisms. I am also interested in using morphological variability as an indicator of biodiversity, structure and functionality if ecosystems.
The main technique I use is geometric morphometrics which gives a robust statistically approach for the shapes definition.
©Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera
©Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera
Trophic ecology of marine organisms.
Trophodynamics represents one of the main aspects of the ecosystems functioning, and helps to understand the ecological interactions that are related to predation.
Trophic analyzes helps measuring the strength of the interaction between different components of the ecosystem, being very useful in assessing the diversity, availability and abundance of organisms in each habitat. This analyses are also fundamental to the management of species, ecosystems and some economic activities such as fisheries.
©Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera
Behavioral analysis
The behavior of individuals is a powerful tool to understand how each species (and individual) defines their activities, according to their needs and the conditions surrounding it. This is considered an approach to psychology that focuses on the study of behavior in its historical and situational contexts.
The aim of this research line is to explain the phenomena of behavior, by identifying the physical events that occur, focusing on behaviors that are observed, and the environmental conditions that support them.
©Jimena Bohórquez-Herrera
Ecosystems vulnerability
Páramos, mangroves, marine lagoons, rivers, among others; are special ecosystems present in a few places in the world with a great importance because of their capacity to absorb and retain water, and thus providing this important resource to other ecosystems, as well as the human population.
The reseach in these areas aims to understand the antropogenic impacts on the ecosystem, in order to quantify the damages and try to recover the water sources and biodiversity in these areas.