Mengdi Li

I am pursuing my PhD at Queen Mary University of London, focusing on the impacts of anthropogenic changes on global ecological networks with the LifeWebs project (http://www.lifewebs.net/). My research is focused on unravelling the complex ecological networks within forest ecosystems and understanding how these networks respond to environmental and anthropogenic pressures. 

Forests are not only crucial for carbon storage and biodiversity, but they also support intricate webs of interactions among species, such as plant-pollinator, seed-disperser, and plant-herbivore interactions. These interactions are vital for ecosystem stability and resilience, particularly in the face of forest loss and degradation. As global changes—from deforestation and habitat fragmentation to climate shifts—reshape these ecosystems, the structure and robustness of these networks are increasingly vulnerable. By studying ecological networks across gradients of elevation, latitude, and climatic factors, my work aims to reveal the patterns of network stability and specialization, contributing essential insights into how forest ecosystems may in response to ongoing environmental changes. My work will also provide a crucial foundation for sustainable practices and conservation strategies that can support forest resilience in the context of global change.