8
Transplanting seedlings of Inga for an experiment at the Tiputini field station in the Ecuadorian, Amazon. Credit: Maria Jose Endara “I FIRST STEPPED FOOT IN A
of herbivore has evolved counter
Furthermore, the project has
TROPICAL RAINFOREST IN 1975
adaptations that allow it to feed
established the island of Coiba as a
AND HAVE BEEN BACK EVERY
on only plant species with similar
protected World Heritage Site and
YEAR DOING RESEARCH ON HOW
defenses.”
created a new voice of Panamanian scientists helping to shape
PL ANTS DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST GETTING EATEN BY
It turns out that plant species with
government policy and appreciation
INSECTS,” says Phyllis “Lissy” Coley,
different defenses do not share
of their natural treasures.
distinguished professor emerita of
herbivores and therefore can co-exist,
biology at the U. She is newly elected
promoting high local diversity. The
“When it comes to understanding
member of the National Academy of
concept that the high biodiversity
the complexity of ecosystems and
Sciences (NAS).
of tropical forests is due to these
the risks they face in today’s world,”
antagonistic interactions is now
says current Director of the School
Coley’s signature work on
widely accepted by her colleagues
of Biological Sciences Fred Adler
understanding the complexity of
in the forest ecology sector and now
“Distinguished Professor Lissy Coley is
ecosystems is due to her focus on why
acknowledged by the NAS.
the expert I turn to get to the heart of the question.” <
tropical forests are so spectacularly diverse. “How can 650 tree species–
“I am happy that the young scientists
more than in all of North America–live
I have mentored are continuing to
together in a single hectare of tropical
explore the many remaining questions
forest?” she asks.
in evolutionary ecology,” she says. With her late partner Tom Kursar,
Another question related to the first
Coley set up their project with the
includes what drives speciation.
majority of the work being done by
“We have shown that the arms
local scientists. It has led to promising
race with insect herbivores leads
patents, research experiences for
to extraordinarily rapid evolution
hundreds of students, and the
of a battery of plant defenses,” she
creation of more jobs than the country
continues, “particularly chemical
of Panama's ubiquitous and potentially
toxins, such that a given species
destructive industry of logging.
O U R DN A
| School of Biological Sciences
