The evolution of plant chemical defence

这个项目深入研究了植物和食草动物之间正在进行的进化斗争。也就是所谓的“进化军备竞赛”，战斗的双方都在不断地选择适应，以更好地武装或保护自己免受对方的攻击。对于植物来说，其目的是保护自己，这采取了一种化学挥发物的形式，在不同的物种中是不同的。但是，这种程度的保护是有代价的，我们很好奇适应食草动物会如何影响它们与其他植物物种的竞争力。该项目重点关注草科，这是生态上最重要的植物科。其目的是揭示导致植物化学防御的驱动因素和机制。

This project delves into the ongoing evolutionary combat between plants and herbivores. Otherwise known as an 'evolutionary arms-race', both sides of the battle are constantly selecting for adaptations that may better weaponise or protect themselves against the other. For plants, the objective is to protect themselves, and this takes the form of a profile of chemical volatiles, which varies amongst different species. But, this level of protection comes at a cost, and we're curious about how adapting against herbivores can affect their competitiveness against other plant species. The project focusses in on the grass family, the most ecologically important plant family. The aim is to unveil the drivers and mechanisms which cause plant chemical defence over time.