Rong (Ronia) Chen

Rong Chen picture

Southeast Asian rainforests constitute a major component of the world’s tropical forest biome. Characterized by complex physiography and diverse climatic regimes, the region harbors exceptionally high species richness and has long been a focus of scientific interest. My PhD research focuses on the Dipterocarpaceae, a canopy-dominant and ecologically important tree family widely distributed across Southeast Asia. By integrating genomics, phylogenetics, and biogeography, I aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying spatial diversity patterns and reconstruct the historical dispersal routes of dipterocarps across the Southeast Asian islands. By investigating the demographic and evolutionary history of key lineages, I aim to elucidate rainforest vegetation assembly and dynamics, thereby informing conservation strategies.

Keywords

Dipterocarpaceae, Phylogeny, Island Biogeography, Macroecology.

Rong (Ronia) Chen

PhD student
Biodiversity Hotspots

E-mail: ronia.chen@naturalis.mom
Mailto: saijing.liu@