Associate professor in Ecological scaling within the Ecology and Biodiversity group, Utrecht University
Research interests
My research focus on investigating the underlying factors that drive changes in plant diversity in response to global environmental shifts, and how these changes impact the functioning of grassland ecosystems and the provision of ecological services across various spatial and temporal scales. To accomplish these goals, I utilize a range of cutting-edge methodologies, including observational and experimental techniques, advanced statistical analyses, and data synthesis of complex datasets, as well as mechanistic approaches applied at the local, regional, and global levels. The core of my research revolves around testing ecological theory, developing fundamental mechanisms, and providing insights for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. By conducting rigorous and interdisciplinary research, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem functioning in the face of global environmental change, ultimately informing policies and management strategies aimed at safeguarding our planet's precious biodiversity.
International activities
I lead grassland and forest experiments / experimental sites for the Nutrient Network (NutNet), the Drought Network (Drought-Net), the NPKD Network (NPKD-Net), the The Tree Diversity Network (TreeDivNet), and the UU BioCliVE. I am co-founder, coordinator and steering committee member of the NPKD Network and UU BioCliVE. I am also collaborating on the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (USA) and the Jena biodiversity experiment (Germany).
Additional functions
Ambassador for Future Food Utrecht for the theme Nature-Inclusive Agriculture.
Associate editor for Journal of Ecology.
Member of the authorship committee NutNet.
Steering committee member, scientific communication manager, publication manager and budget manager of the UU BioCliVE.
Member of the organizing committee NAEM.
Co-founder, coordinator and steering committee member of the NPKD Network (NPKD-Net).
Co-coordinator of the master program Environmental Biology.
Current group-members
Post-Doc: Chong Xu (daily supervisor, UU and CAAS, China), Caroline Daniel (co-supervisor, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Switzerland)
PhD: Shengnan Wang (UU, co-promotor), Yuheng Chen (UU, co-promotor), Xiaobin Pan (UU, promotor), Mink Verschoor (UU, co-promotor), Julia Mayr (UU, co-promotor), Kirsten Timmerman (UU, co-promotor), Noa Tabak (UU, promotor), Tessel de Vries (UU, co-promotor), Enrico Magazzino (University of Padova, co-supervisor)
MSc:
BSc:
Former group-members
Associate Professor: Zhiwei Zhong (Northeast Normal University, China), Xiaofei Li (Northeast Normal University, China)
Assistant Professor: Zaipeng Yu (Fujian Normal University, China)
Post-Doc: QingQing Chen (iDiv, Germany)
PhD: Pengfei Zhang (UU, promotor), Liting Zheng (UU, co-promotor), Mengjiao Huang (UU, co-promotor), Maria Theresa Jessen (iDiv, Germany), Haoru Yan (UU, co-promotor), Ruonan Shen (UU, co-promotor), Xiangyun Li (UU, co-promotor), Alejandro Berlinches de Gea (WUR, co-promotor), Ana Sandoval Calderon (UU, co-promotor)
MSc: Chiara Perulli, Meike Hartog, Ellen Hoevenaar, Denise Groeneweg, Freddie Visschedijk, Yordi Hidskes, Orestis Karghotis, Jeroen Heemsbergen, Joran Keur, Eveline Pinto, Benjamin Schollaart, Leonardo Bassi, Jasper van Straeten, Jord van Beek, Enrico Magazzino, Roxy Sandwijk, Huib van de Haar, Rien Lettink, Bridget Mc Govern, Tom Heuts, Ramoeni Luimes, Tianyun Yang, Floran Clopin, Ramoeni Luimes, Tianyun Zong, Maarten Meijer, Godelieve Franssen, Julia Mayr, Antonia Fichtbauer, Miao He, Nerea Rubio Echazarra, Mink Verschoor, Tom Szabo-Hemmings, Jordan Crowther, Iris van Engen, Chiara Perulli, Meike Hartog, Giacomo del Negro, Cornalijn Hazelebach, Julie Engel, Caroline Karney, Olivia van der Weiden
BSc: Willemijn Boersma, Femke de Boo, Jules Freiherr von Imhof, Louise Jochems, Manon Biersteker, Mirre Sonders, Paulien van Staalduinen, Elise Oostlander, Joilien ten Klooster, Lucia Koolen, Mirte Jaartsveld, Jim Heintz, Gijs Rooijmans, Lynn Oudheuseden, Nathan Bouwman, Thymen Vuik, Philip Stecher, Jurre Dekker, Jelmer Bos, Julien Vignal, Kim Piters, Dulci Steijvers, Julia Mechelse, Ilse Verkerk, Kim Beijering, Jesse van der Marck, Jip Hendriks, Julia Blok, Natanja Schuttenhem, Romek Nijland, Tobias Vervaart, Gijs Rooijmans, Elise Oostlander, Joilien ten Klooster, Lucia Koolen, Mirte Jaartsveld, Femke de Boo, Jules Freiherr von Imhof, Louise Jochems, Mirre Sonders, Willemijn Boersma, Britt Jansen, Feliz Bink, Laura Dolman, Sam van Hulten, Kaycey Tomesen, Hugo van Schaik, Thijs Noordhoek