Research: I have very broadly defined research interests ranging from reproductive ecology to community ecology of plants. I have also become interested recently in human ecology. I am particularly interested in the development of new hypotheses and conceptual models for the interpretation of adaptive strategies for growth, survival and reproduction in plants along environmental gradients and how these strategies help to explain patterns in the abundance, distribution and diversity of organisms, taxa, biomass and productivity within and between habitats.

 
»» Lab Website »« email: aarssenl@queensu.ca »« telephone: 613-533-6133 ««

Some Recent Publications: 

• Aarssen, L.W. (2008) Death without sex – the ‘problem of the small’ and selection for reproductive economy in flowering plants.  Evolutionary Ecology 22: 279-298.
• Kleiman D. and Aarssen, L.W. (2007) The leaf size / number trade-off in trees.  Journal of Ecology 95: 376-382.
• Aarssen, L.W. (2007) Some bold evolutionary predictions for the future of mating in humans. Oikos  116: 1768-1778.
• Aarssen, L.W., B. Schamp, and J. Pither (2006).  Why are there so many small plants?  Implications for species coexistence.  Journal of Ecology 94: 569-580.