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Plant ecology

Our research into plant function includes the role of plant silicon, ecosystem carbon and water biogeochemistry.

Meadow flowers

Our researchers specialise in a wide range of plant ecology topics:

  • Plant function;
  • Ecological strategies;
  • Plant and soil community ecology.

We are interested in how plant traits are linked to ecological strategies and evolution of different species. Our research also explores the effect of environmental gradients on plant biodiversity and community composition, across a wide variety of ecosystems including floodplain meadows, Cape flora and agroforestry systems.

We are also interested in the plant and ecosystem responses to global change and environmental disturbances.

How planting macadamia trees could transform Malawi

PhD student Emmanuel Junior Zuza from the School of Earth, Environment and Ecosystem Science talks about his work with the Neno Macadamia Trust, planting macadamia trees to improve food security and generate new income sources for Malawian farmers.

If you have any questions or want to find out more please contact Julia Cooke.

News

Supporting students with dyslexia: an academic’s perspective

10% of the population are dyslexic. My name is Dr Anne Jay, and I am dyslexic. Dyslexia brings challenges that have a considerable impact on OU student success. A key struggle for people with dyslexia is written communication.

20th March 2023

Celebrating Graduation in Manchester

On 22 November Professors Clare Warren, Mark Brandon and Richard Holliman, and Dr Barbara Kunz travelled to Manchester for an OU Graduation Ceremony.

29th November 2022

EEES researcher to lead £800k project to improve global climate change predictions

An EEES researcher is leading a new Natural Environmental Research Council-funded project to improve our ability to predict climate change using cutting-edge analysis of fossilised algae molecules. 

15th November 2022
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