Behind the paper

Elena Tello-García | Shrub encroachment influences root traits and mycorrhization in subalpine grasslands

In this ‘Behind the Paper blog post, author Elena Tello-García – a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Innsbruck – discusses “Shrub encroachment influences root traits and mycorrhization in subalpine grasslands“, which was recently published in Functional Ecology. Elena discusses how shrub encroachment reshapes root traits and mycorrhizal partnerships in mountain grasslands, the endless root washing required during fieldwork, and the benefits of a good … Continue reading Elena Tello-García | Shrub encroachment influences root traits and mycorrhization in subalpine grasslands

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Journal Update, Meet the Editor

Journal update | Meet our new Associate Editors!

Following or latest open call, we are excited to announce that we have welcomed 47 new Associate Editors to Functional Ecology’s editorial board! Our new editors join us from 18 different countries and bring with them an incredible range of expertise and experiences in functional ecology. Read on to find out more about them! Alexandre de Menezes (he/him/his) University of Galway, Ireland Alexandre is a … Continue reading Journal update | Meet our new Associate Editors!

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Behind the paper

Berber Meulepas | High nitrogen loading impacts the temperature-size rule and heat tolerance in a nettle-feeding butterfly

In this blog post, we’re getting stung with knowledge on the fascinating responses to temperature shifts in the Map butterfly (Araschnia levana). From their new paper: “High Nitrogen loading impacts the temperature-size rule and heat tolerance in a nettle-feeding butterfly”, author Berber Meulepas shares insights behind their project work with the Map butterfly and its associations with the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Berber discusses … Continue reading Berber Meulepas | High nitrogen loading impacts the temperature-size rule and heat tolerance in a nettle-feeding butterfly

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Behind the paper

 Jonas Trepel | Keeping the grasses in check: Wild large herbivores promote plant diversity by reducing dominance 

In this behind the Paper blog post, author Jonas Trepel – a postdoctoral researcher at Aarhus University – delves into the world of ecosystems engineers and discusses his paper “Wild large herbivores promote plant diversity and functional redundancy by reducing dominance“, which was recently published in Functional Ecology. Jonas shares the role of large herbivores as key ecological players, the thorny side of fieldwork, and the … Continue reading  Jonas Trepel | Keeping the grasses in check: Wild large herbivores promote plant diversity by reducing dominance 

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Behind the paper

Collins Ogbeide | Artificial light at night and invasive signal crayfish alter aquatic-terrestrial food webs

In this week’s blog post, fall into a web of knowledge with Collins Ogbeide, as he discusses his research article: “Artificial light at night and invasive signal crayfish alter aquatic-terrestrial food webs”. Collins explores predator-prey dynamics within riparian streams in a clever and unique way: artificial light! Collins also reflects on a crucial piece of advice: Adaptability matters more than having everything figured out! About … Continue reading Collins Ogbeide | Artificial light at night and invasive signal crayfish alter aquatic-terrestrial food webs

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Behind the paper

Rafael Cabral Borges | Bee community assembly is regulated by functional traits in pristine tropical forest environments

In this ‘Behind the paper’ blog post, author Rafael Cabral Borges – a postdoctoral fellow at the Vale Institute of Technology in Belém, Brazil – discusses his paper “Bee community assembly is regulated by functional traits in pristine tropical forest environments“. Rafael explores whether bee communities organise themselves differently in forests and in canga areas, conducting fieldwork in the Amazon, and his passion for bee … Continue reading Rafael Cabral Borges | Bee community assembly is regulated by functional traits in pristine tropical forest environments

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Behind the paper, Translation

Rafael Cabral Borges | Por trás do jornal

Sobre o artigo A Amazônia está sob crescente pressão das atividades humanas. Ao mesmo tempo, grandes esforços estão em curso para conservar o que ainda resta e restaurar o que já foi degradado. No entanto, manejar um ecossistema tão vasto, complexo e extraordinariamente diverso como a Amazônia exige mais do que boas intenções: exige um entendimento profundo de como o ecossistema está estruturado e como … Continue reading Rafael Cabral Borges | Por trás do jornal

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Behind the paper

Erliang Gao | Nitrogen enrichment in soil interrupts the ‘rhythms’ of plan-pollinator interactions in Tibetan alpine meadows

In our latest ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Erliang Gao shares insights into the article “Anthropogenic nitrogen addition interrupts seasonal connectivity and structures of plant–pollinator networks“, which was published in Functional Ecology in April 2026. Erliang Gao discusses the impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen enrichment on plant-pollinator networks, the joys of conducting curiosity-driven research, and the importance of establishing a work-life balance. About the paper … Continue reading Erliang Gao | Nitrogen enrichment in soil interrupts the ‘rhythms’ of plan-pollinator interactions in Tibetan alpine meadows

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Behind the paper

Sofia Etzold | The slow fade of forest vitality — What decades of monitoring reveal 

In this blog post, author Sofia Etzold – a researcher at the Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape – discusses the research article Decreasing water availability reduces productivity in Swiss forests along an altitudinal gradient, which was recently published in Functional Ecology. Sofia explores whether emerging trends in forest productivity can already be linked to climatic changes, and shares the challenges of … Continue reading Sofia Etzold | The slow fade of forest vitality — What decades of monitoring reveal 

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Behind the paper

Andrés F. Ramírez-Mejía | The commonness of rarity: why there are so many rare species

In this week’s blog post, we’re discovering how common it is to be rare! Through his paper: “Functional divergence drives the prevalence of low-abundance species in bat assemblages”, author Andrés F. Ramírez-Mejía explores the commonness of rarity: why there are so many rare species and explains why every bat has a role in our ecosystem. In his blog, Andrés explores the complexities of morphological uniqueness … Continue reading Andrés F. Ramírez-Mejía | The commonness of rarity: why there are so many rare species

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