Landscapes in constant change
Landscapes are continually changing in response to agriculture, forestry, climate change, and other environmental pressures. Our group is interested in documenting these changes, identifying the underlying mechanisms, and evaluating the effects of these changes on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Our research is currently focused in Europe and on tropical Pacific islands.
Long-term dynamics of ecosystems
Many processes occurring in ecosystems can only be understood and properly evaluated through long-term observation and analysis. However, the duration of scientific projects is often limited to a few years. Therefore, one focus of our research is to conduct long-term studies on the dynamics of different ecosystems, such as rainforests and calcareous grasslands. Studying ecosystems over time provides a comprehensive and improved assessment of changes, for instance under the influence of global warming and biological invasions. This approach, which we refer to as integrative vegetation ecology, provides an indispensable basis for the protection and conservation of endangered species and ecosystems.
Ecology of sustainable land use
We are interested in understanding how biodiverse, functional, and resilient ecosystems can persist in the presence of global change. With a focus on arthropod biodiversity and arthropod-plant interactions, we are investigating the links between land use intensity and landscape context, and the conservation and resilience of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.
Practical experience
Experience is essential to identify and assess ecosystem processes. We use multi-level field experiments, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, ecological modelling and the combination of environmental data sets. Students test their theoretical background and practical experience on regular field trips.
