|
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Faculty Affiliate Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences University of Montana fms46@cornell.edu @FionaSoper |
|
Photo credit: Maddie Vincent
|
I am an ecosystem ecologist, specializing in plant ecophysiology and biogeochemistry. My research explores how plant traits drive ecosystem processes such as soil nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions and productivity. I work across a range of biomes from deserts to rainforests, and am especially fascinated by drivers and responses to a suite of global changes.
I am passionate about scientific mentorship, advocacy and peer network building. I serve on the board of the Ecological Society of America Early Career Ecologist Section and coordinate the ESA Early Career Mentoring program. |
News
March 2019: I'll be an invited speaker at the Early Career Scientists Symposium (Stable Isotopes in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, this month. Come along to learn about new applications of stable isotopes for measuring nitrogen fixation in natural systems!
Feb 2019: We have a new Concepts & Synthesis paper out in Ecology, showing that Paleotropical forests allocate proportionally more biomass to wood (versus leaves) than than their Neotropical counterparts. Greater aboveground biomass in these forests thus suggests that they may be disproportionate hotspots for tropical carbon storage.
Jan 2019: Our recent Proceedings B paper showing that leaf cutter ants engineer greenhouse gas hot spots in tropical rainforests was featured in Science magazine, New Scientist, and Gizmodo
Sep 2018: We have a newly funded NSF Research Co-ordination Network! If you're interested in better synergy between experiments and models in addressing nutrient feedbacks on the global carbon cycle, head over to the INCyTE RCN tab
Feb 2019: We have a new Concepts & Synthesis paper out in Ecology, showing that Paleotropical forests allocate proportionally more biomass to wood (versus leaves) than than their Neotropical counterparts. Greater aboveground biomass in these forests thus suggests that they may be disproportionate hotspots for tropical carbon storage.
Jan 2019: Our recent Proceedings B paper showing that leaf cutter ants engineer greenhouse gas hot spots in tropical rainforests was featured in Science magazine, New Scientist, and Gizmodo
Sep 2018: We have a newly funded NSF Research Co-ordination Network! If you're interested in better synergy between experiments and models in addressing nutrient feedbacks on the global carbon cycle, head over to the INCyTE RCN tab
