Angela Illuminati: A closer look to roots in drylands

In this new post Angela Illuminati, postdoc at University Rey Juan Carlos, Spain, presents her work ‘Functional differences between herbs and woody species in a semiarid Mediterranean plant community: a whole-plant perspective on growth, nutrient-use and size’. She talks about the many gaps existing in dryland plant ecology, shows the amazing distances that roots systems cover, and shares how science strengthens her family bonds.  About … Continue reading Angela Illuminati: A closer look to roots in drylands

Carolina Reyes-Puig: species coexistence and niche segregation in Mediterranean green lizards.

In our latest post, author Carolina Reyes-Puig asks us if it’s all about size (in this case, it is…kinda!). In their latest paper: “Is it all about size? Dismantling the integrated phenotype to understand species coexistence and niche segregation”, Carolina explores how different phenotypic traits contribute to niche segregation in Mediterranean green lizards. Carolina also highlights the importance of ecophysiology research, and staying true to … Continue reading Carolina Reyes-Puig: species coexistence and niche segregation in Mediterranean green lizards.

Laura Ortiz Díaz: Biological soil crusts and neighbour plants strongly affects annual plants living in gypsum drylands

In our latest post, Laura Ortiz Díaz—A PhD student at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain—presents her new study ‘Functional diversity of experimental annual plant assemblages drives plant responses to biological soil crusts in gypsum systems’. Laura tells us where the idea of the study came from, the importance of biological soil crust for drylands ecology, and how she became hooked on ecology from an early … Continue reading Laura Ortiz Díaz: Biological soil crusts and neighbour plants strongly affects annual plants living in gypsum drylands

Laura Ortiz Díaz: La costra biológica del suelo y las plantas vecinas afectan al establecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas anuales que viven en ambientes yesíferos semiáridos.

En este post Laura Ortiz Díaz, estudiante de doctorado de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (España), nos presenta su trabajo ‘Functional diversity of experimental annual plant assemblages drives plant responses to biological soil crusts in gypsum systems’ Laura nos cuenta de dónde surgió la idea del trabajo, la importancia que la costra biológica puede tener en zonas áridas y cómo la ecología le atrapó desde … Continue reading Laura Ortiz Díaz: La costra biológica del suelo y las plantas vecinas afectan al establecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas anuales que viven en ambientes yesíferos semiáridos.