Global Change and Biotic Interaction Ecology

Description in English: “Plant communities and ecosystems around the world are experiencing unprecedented anthropogenic global change pressures, with projections of major changes in species diversity and composition, and dramatic consequences on ecosystem functioning and services important to humans. Our research (https://eskelinenresearch.com) focuses on unraveling the mechanisms that drive plant biodiversity change under multiple global change pressures such as nutrient enrichment and climate change. We examine, through experimental manipulations, how the effects of different global change drivers on plant community composition and diversity depend on the interactions of multiple factors, such as habitat size and connectivity, plant dispersal, competition, herbivory, and environmental conditions, and how plant functional traits mediate plant responses to these complex interactions. Our research aims to understand and predict future plant biodiversity and provide solutions on how to safeguard biodiversity and prevent its loss.”