PhD student

I am doing my PhD on the PaNDiv Experiment. The aim of my PhD research is to investigate the direct and indirect effects of nitrogen enrichment on soil communities and their functioning. I am looking at the effects of plant species diversity, plant functional composition and nitrogen addition on Collembola (Springtails) and Mite communities. These soil microarthropods are functionally very important and are being affected by nitrogen enrichment. I am measuring mandible traits of Collembola, functional groups of Mite and feeding rates in the field to understand the direct and indirect effects of nitrogen enrichment on soil fauna functional composition and feeding strategies. I also study microbial communities and am measuring soil enzymatic activities and how they change over time in the PaNDiv experiment.

Project: PaNDiv Experiment