Overview

Driven to find better ways to meet both the needs of nature and people. Currently working on my PhD research, which addresses a key component of ecosystem functioning at the intersection of global food insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises: pollination services for smallholder livelihoods.

Qualifications

2021-2025: PhD, Biosciences, University of Exeter

2018-2021: MSc Environmental Sciences (Forest and Landscape Management) ETH Zurich

2014-2018: BSc Environmental Sciences, ETH Zurich

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Research

Research projects

The role of plant-pollinator networks in guiding restoration of forest ecosystem functions and services

Supervised by Dr. Christopher Kaiser-Bunbury, Prof. Frank Van Veen, Dr. Mark Harrison, Dr. Christopher Kettle (ETH Zurich)

Conservation and restoration of natural areas has become a priority to tackle the global biodiversity and climate crises, but at the same time pressure on natural ecosystems is increasing. Food production continues to be one of the main drivers of land-use change increasing carbon emissions and biodiversity loss, especially in the tropics. Despite ambitious restoration targets, there is insufficient understanding and consensus about effective ecosystem-based restoration strategies. More knowledge is needed on the functioning and resilience of ecosystems and how human disturbance influences them.

To contribute towards guiding holistic ecosystem management strategies, this research addresses a key component of ecosystem functioning at the intersection of the global food insecurity, biodiversity, and climate crises: plant-pollinator networks. These networks play a key role in the functioning and resilience of ecosystems by providing essential ecosystem functions and services, such as supporting genetic diversity in forests (function) and pollinating a vast majority of flowering plants and leading global food crops (service). Through investigating the ecosystem functions and services provided by plant-pollinator networks in a priority habitat for ecological restoration this research aims to shed light on the role of plant-pollinator networks in guiding holistic restoration strategies.

We will combine different approaches to understand and simulate how plant-pollinator networks in complex landscapes are affected by human disturbance and whether this acts as a short- or longer-term barrier to ecosystem restoration in degraded and burned areas. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute towards guiding the development of effective restoration strategies that incorporate consideration of plant-pollinator networks.

For more information about my research, visit my researchgate profile.

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