Hierarchy: Full Professor

Working day: Complete 44 hours

Academic degrees:

Doctor in Ecology (1993) Universidad de Chile. Chile

Job title:

State Professor in Biology and Sciences (1977) University of Chile. Chili.

Laboratory:Geographic Ecology Laboratory

Contact: F: 2978-7387; Email: rbustama@uchile.cl

Link capsule: https://ciencias.uchile.cl/ciencias/34%20ciencia_para_todos_rbustamante_video.html

Research Line: Plant Population Ecology, Invasion Ecology, Conservation Biology.

 Brief review of research line:

We aim to study patterns and processes that determine biodiversity patterns in the geographical space. A key reference for our laboratory is the eminent ecologist Robert H. MacArthur, who expressed these ideas in his book Geographical Ecology (MacArthur 1974). The concept of niche and its projection towards the geographical space (niche-biotope duality) is also a key conceptual reference in our research.

Exotic species:We are interested in the potential distribution of exotic species based on the climatic niche. The spatial range of invasive species can be considered a proxy of species invasiveness. We are also interested to relate niche traits and other functional traits with species invasiveness. The geographical space can also be synthetized in latitudinal and altitudinal gradients, generating the distribution curves of the different species, thus defining the center and edge (border) of distribution. Because invasions constitute a global phenomenon, we collaborate with other colleagues using information from other regions to assess the potential of species to invade our country.

Within the range of invasion of an exotic species, we are interested to examine the limitations to invasion. We focus on the phenotypic, genetic and demographic variation of the species at their edges (invasion front) with respect to distribution centers.

Relict species:The ecology of relict species is a new avenue of research. We are studying the demography, biological interactions and dispersal processes that occur in relict plants such as Jubaea chilensis, Pouteria splendens and Drymis winterii. The knowledge obtained from these species will allow us to understand the capacity of species to persist (or not) in the face of past and current global changes.

Academic Portfolio:

https://www.uchile.cl/portafolio-academico/perfilAcademico.jsf?username=rbustama

Links (publications):

Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ramiro_Bustamante

Administrative responsibilities:

2016-2018: Ecological Sciences Department Director

2014-2016: Ecological Sciences Department Director