PhD research:
I study how climate change interacts with aboveground insects, fungi, and mollusks in structuring vegetation and soil communities along an elevational gradient. This PhD contributes to the global research network Bugnet, which aims to better understand the interactive effects of fungi, mollusks, and insects on plant communities. In addition to the BugNet field experiment, I will focus on the belowground interactions, mainly between nematodes, mycorrhizal fungi, and plants.
My research is based in Dovrefjell national park. There OTC (Open Top Chambers) along an elevational gradient are used to simulate a warming effect on the communities. Interactive effects of the different plant enemies are studied via full-factorial exclusion treatments. Further analyses of nematode feeding guilds and mycorrhizal fungi is are performed in the lab.
The main objectives of my PhD research are:
- To study how experimental warming and exlusion of aboveground insects, mollusks, and/or fungi affect plant communities along an elevational gradient
- To use experimental translocation of soil nematodes and mycorrhizal fungi along the elevational gradient and among experimental treatments to gain insights into local adaptation and effects of a warming climate in the context of multi-species interactions
- To determine the plant defense compounds involved in these multi-species interactions
- To investigate the effects of warming and enemy exclusion treatments on the evolution of plant traits
Supervisors:
Martijn Vandegehuchte – Associate Professor
Anne Kempel – Research scientist
Eric Allan – Professor
Background:
- Prior to pursuing my PhD I worked as an agronomy teacher at JUNIA university in Lille (France). I mostly taught plant biology and soil science, using a problem-based learning pedagogy method.
Jan. 2020 – Aug. 2022
- As a project manager at INRAE institute (Rennes, France) I was interested in dispersal of insect pests in the vegetable crop fields. The methodology to follow and monitor insects in the field was the main interest.
Dec. 2018 – Jun. 2019
- During my master thesis I studied aphid (Sitobion avenae) population development and spread in monocrops (barley) and intercrops (peas or faba bean associated with barley). I did field assessments, greenhouse experiments and lab-work using the Aberdeen (Scotland) SRUC’s facilities.
March 2018 – Sept. 2018
- As a student at Institut Agro (Rennes, France) I had the opportunity to do several internships:
- At Århus university (Arslev, Denmark) I was looking for a method to evaluate Blumerialla jaapii fungal disease infection on cherry tree. Old and new leaves were screened. (Feb. 2017 - Jun. 2017)
- At the CIEP (coyhaique, Chile) I studied carbon storage in deciduous and evergreen Nothofagus spp. and its usage to form the new shoots. (Sept. 2016 - Jan. 2017)
