|
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
|
My research explores the interface between plant physiology and ecosystem nutrient cycling- what traits and controls shape plant nutrient uptake? And how do these plant chemical and physiological traits drive ecosystem processes such as soil nutrient availability, productivity and greenhouse gas emissions? 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 also passionate about scientific mentorship and advocacy. I serve on the board of the Ecological Society of America Early Career Ecologist Section and coordinate the ESA Early Career Mentoring program. |
News
April 2019: Want to learn more about using stable isotopes to measure nitrogen fixation? My recent talk at the the University of Michigan Early Career Scientists Symposium (Stable Isotopes in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation) is now up on Youtube.
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
