The present distribution and co-occurrence of trees in the Western Ghats is determined by environmental drivers and biotic interactions operating over a hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales, from local sets of individuals to the regional pool of extant taxa. The French Institute of Pondicherry has conducted extensive characterization and mapping of the diversity of forest types in the
Western Ghats, and also characterized and monitored the long-term dynamics of local communities. From this rich information, it is time for us to address the determinants of the diversity and predict the dynamics of these forests across spatial scales.
Our main objectives are therefore: (i) to address the drivers of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of forests over a broad environmental gradient, using cutting-edge theories and methodologies, (ii) to understand the origins of the extant pool of taxa, and how endemics have evolved in diverse niches.
Bringing together complementary skills and mutual interests of research teams working on biodiversity in the Western Ghats is an exciting and promising perspective. It will allow tackling the great challenge of better understanding the past and present of our legacy, as well as to predict its future in the face of intensive global changes.