Professor Emma Sayer

Professor in Ecosystem Ecology

Research Overview

My research investigates how ecosystems respond to change. I’m happiest when working in forests but I also make the occasional foray into grasslands. My main research focus lies in determining how interactions between above- and belowground processes affect ecosystem function. I currently work in the UK, Panama and Germany using a wide range of tools borrowed from biogeochemistry, plant-, soil, and microbial ecology. I'm also Senior Editor for Functional Ecology and I'm passionate about science communication and public engagement with science.

Refining Estimates of Tropical Forest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Exchange using Plant Traits (RETROGHG)
01/06/2022 → 30/06/2025
Research

A comparative assessment of foliar traits and P fractions to fertilization in two tropical forests: understanding plant acclimation to P-limitation
02/01/2020 → 30/03/2023
Research

FACE underground: Can trees in mature forests gain greater access to soil nutrients
15/10/2019 → 31/10/2023
Research

Intra- and interspecific leaf trait variation, decomposition processes and the ‘home-field advantage’ in European woodlands
08/04/2019 → 30/11/2020
Research

How does 25 years of low-level chronic warming and drought stress influence the resilience of soil communities after an extreme weather event
01/01/2019 → 31/12/2019
Research

Resistance by adaptation: Does evolution stabilise plant community structure and function under climate change?
10/09/2018 → 30/05/2022
Research

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functions and Policy Across a Tropical Forest Modification Gradient
01/04/2014 → 30/03/2019
Research

Ecosystem carbon and nutrient dynamics under global change
01/04/2014 → …
Research

Make it happen! Project-based learning on developing an environmental technology of slurry processing to support local students from disadvantaged backgrounds and farming..
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition

Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts
Festival/Exhibition/Concert

Garden Organic (External organisation)
Membership of board

Science Futures
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition

British Ecological Society (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Ecology and Evolution (Journal)
Editorial activity

Microbial Ecology (Journal)
Editorial activity

Functional Ecology (Journal)
Editorial activity

Open Univ, Open University - UK, Dept Earth & Environm Sci
Visiting an external academic institution

Music Festival Season
Festival/Exhibition/Concert

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (External organisation)
Member of an organisation

Young Academy of Europe (External organisation)
Member of an organisation

British Ecological Society (External organisation)
Membership of committee

British Ecological Society (External organisation)
Membership of committee

BES Award
Prize (including medals and awards)

  • Soil Plant and Land Systems