PD Dr. Michael Kessler group

My research revolves around understanding patterns of biodiversity from local to global scales by combining a broad range of methods, ranging from taxonomy across macroecology and plant physiology to genomics. Ferns are my main research group, currently including studies on the evolution of fern diversity in Europe and globally, the physiological challenges faced by ferns under climate change, and their coevolution with mycorrhizae. Another line of work focuses on the evolution of the tree genus Polylepis (Rosaceae), which forms the World’s highest treelines in the Andes. Finally, I am also involved in several research collaborations, e.g., on the evolution of the coevolution of hummingbirds and plants, and global patterns of phylogenetic diversity.