Professor Emma Sayer
Professor in Ecosystem EcologyResearch 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 part of the Steering Group of the UK's longest-running climate change experiment and Review Editor for Functional Ecology. I’m also passionate about science communication and public engagement with science. For more details, take a look at http://www.festivalbugs.org
A comparative assessment of foliar traits and P fractions to fertilization in two tropical forests: understanding plant acclimation to P-limitation
02/01/2020 → 01/01/2022
Research
FACE underground: Can trees in mature forests gain greater access to soil nutrients
15/10/2019 → 14/12/2022
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 → 09/03/2022
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
Refining Estimates of Tropical Forest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Exchange using Plant Traits (RETROGHG)
01/01/1900 → …
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
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