Seminar:Climate Extremes and Ecological Stability: From Bacteria to Beetles in Terrestrial Ecosystems
Date:
Location:
WSL Birmensdorf, Hörsaal
Organised by:
Biodiversity Center, WSL
Speakers:
Madhav Thakur, University of Bern
Moderators:
Anita Risch, WSL
Languages:
English
Type of event:
Presentations and colloquia
Audience:
Anyone interested in the topics
Abstract ¶
Extreme weather and climate events—collectively referred to as climate extremes—are increasing in frequency and intensity across the biosphere. These events pose a major threat to global biodiversity, yet their long-term impacts remain poorly understood. One powerful way to assess these impacts is through the lens of ecological stability, by examining how ecosystems respond during (resistance) and after (recovery) such disturbances. In this seminar, I will present experimental work investigating the resistance and recovery of microorganisms, plants, and invertebrates—focusing primarily on grassland ecosystems. Our findings reveal that resistance and recovery are often decoupled, and I will explore the factors driving these patterns. Drawing on examples across multiple taxonomic groups, I will also introduce the concept of ecological debt—a useful framework for understanding how delayed responses to climate extremes can erode the long-term stability of ecosystems.
About the speaker ¶
Madhav (Maddy) Prakash Thakur is an Associate professor at the University of Bern and Head of the Division Terrestrial Ecology.
I test theories of community ecology against global change factors using experiments, observations and syntheses. More specifically, my research is driven by two general questions: how do global change factors (e.g., climate warming and drought) affect species interactions and what are the implications of those altered (or unaltered) interactions for biodiversity maintenance and regulation of ecosystem functions? To answer these broad questions, I mainly work with soil microorganisms, soil invertebrates and plant communities from both grasslands and forests. But in general, I am interested in any system and organism where I can intersect community and global change ecology.
Group's website: https://www.terr.iee.unibe.ch/index_eng.html
How to join ¶
Our public seminars are hybrid, with the option to attend in-person or online.
The Zoom webinar link will be published closer to the date.
Biodiversity Seminars ¶
The Biodiversity Seminar Series are organized by the WSL Biodiversity Center. Every two weeks, we aim to host a seminar speaker who presents research or outreach on topics relevant to the biodiversity community at WSL. The seminars are public and are usually broadcast online.
To find out more about the WSL Biodiversity Center and a complete list of events, please visit our website.
Please send an email to events-biodiversity(at)wsl.ch if you would like to be updated on the activities of the WSL Biodiversity Center.
Contact ¶
How to get here ¶
Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903 Birmensdorf
By public transport ¶
Bus stop Birmensdorf ZH, Sternen/WSL
Accessible by bus lines 220 and 350 via Wiedikon/Triemli or via Birmensdorf station with S-Bahn lines 5 and 14.
By car ¶
See map on map.search.ch or Google Maps
You'll find guest parking spaces (for a fee) behind the main building after passing the main entrance.