Dr. Denneko Luke is a research scientist with a speciality in Forest Ecology. His present research aims to determine climate change effects on Jamaica’s forested areas and species that maybe used in restoration efforts. To that goal, his work involves conducting landscape level assessments across different forest types, encompassing some of Jamaica’s major watersheds. This includes the assessment of the cumulative effects of past hurricane disturbances at landscape level and the effect of topography on forest composition and plant distribution at the stand level.  He also explores seedling ecophysiology and use of these traits to predict species responses (i.e., resilience and resistance) to disturbance. His research was instrumental in helping the Blue and John Crow Mountains (BJCM) to be nominated as a World Heritage Site, and his work has led to local and international collaboration with researchers modelling hurricane effects. He has an interest in urban forestry and is interested in determining native species that can be used to mitigate Climate Change effects in the urban landscape.