Dr Peter Wilkie, Tropical Botanist
My main area of expertise is the taxonomy and conservation of the tropical trees, in particular members of the family Sapotaceae from Southeast Asia. I am also Editor-in-Chief of the Edinburgh Journal of Botany, a diamond open access international journal of plant systematics and biodiversity.
My main research focus is the production of base-line taxonomic data and robust molecular phylogenetic frameworks for Sapotaceae and to use this data to better understand species distributions and biogeographic patterns, produce IUCN Red List threat assessments and support in situ and ex situ conservation actions.
Current projects and activities include the production of a taxonomic account of Sapotaceae for the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia and the Flora of Singapore, the compilation of a molecular phylogeny of the tribe Isonandreae (Sapotaceae), supervision of MSc and PhD Students and the maintenance and development of the Sapotaceae Resource Centre Currently I also provide expert advice to the UKPACK Seed to Tree Project in Malaysia that aims to improve the availability and quality of native tree seeds and seedlings for forest restoration activities by supporting local community involvement in seed value chains.
Contact: p.wilkie@rbge.org.uk