Research

My research focuses on understanding how biodiversity and functional traits influence ecosystem functioning, productivity, and stability under environmental change. I am particularly interested in ecosystem responses to climate extremes, such as severe drought, and their implications for biogeochemical cycles (e.g. Carbon cycle). My broader interests extend to soil biogeochemical processes, particularly the temperature sensitivity of microbial decomposition (Q10) and soil carbon dynamics, as well as the connections between environmental change, ecosystem health, and human and animal health from a One Health perspective.

During my PhD, I addressed a key limitation of terrestrial biosphere models, which typically represent vegetation using fixed trait values for each plant functional type, overlooking much of its functional variability. I developed a multi-scale approach linking plant species, communities, and ecosystems, investigating the spatial and temporal variability of community-level functional traits, particularly in permanent grasslands. By incorporating functional identity and diversity into the ORCHIDEE terrestrial biosphere model, I aimed to better represent vegetation heterogeneity and assess its influence on gross and net primary productivity (GPP and NPP) and ecosystem stability under historical and future climate conditions (1960-2100).

My current and previous research affiliations are presented below!