Yankun Zhu: A long-term precipitation manipulation field experiment in a shrub-encroached grassland in Inner Mongolia, China

In this new post, Yankun Zhu—Associate Professor at Sanming University, China—discusses his paper: Increased precipitation attenuates shrub encroachment by facilitating herbaceous growth in a Mongolian grassland—recently shortlisted for the 2022 Haldane Prize for Early Career Researchers. About the paper Widespread shrub encroachment is profoundly impacting the structures and functions of global drylands, and precipitation change is assumed to be one of the most critical factors … Continue reading Yankun Zhu: A long-term precipitation manipulation field experiment in a shrub-encroached grassland in Inner Mongolia, China

Matthew Krna: Decomposition rates of leaf litter are temperature-independent

In this new post, Matt Krna—then a PhD student at Massey University, New Zealand—discusses his recently published paper in Functional Ecology: Temperature dependency of litter decomposition is not demonstrated under reciprocal transplantation of tussock leaves along an altitudinal gradient. This research follows on from his publication on clarifying carbon sequestration (Krna and Rapson, 2013). In his study of decomposition across a 700 m altitudinal gradient … Continue reading Matthew Krna: Decomposition rates of leaf litter are temperature-independent

Régis Céréghino: Functional redundancy is an insurance against the effects of precipitation change on Neotropical invertebrate communities

In this new post, Professor Régis Céréghino, from University Paul Sabatier (Toulouse, France), presents his paper ‘Functional redundancy dampens precipitation change impacts on species-rich invertebrate communities across the Neotropics’, discusses the importance of collaboration for answering general ecological questions and highlights the necessity to know your study system. About the paper The aim of this study was to understand how biogeographic contexts influence invertebrate community … Continue reading Régis Céréghino: Functional redundancy is an insurance against the effects of precipitation change on Neotropical invertebrate communities