iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Josh Brian @drjoshbrian.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

So pleased to see this out after a massive team effort! We did (to our knowledge) the first complete meta-analysis of biotic resistance since Levine et al. 2004, pairing this with models exploring the eco-evolutionary dynamics of biotic resistance! Dive in ⬇️ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Dynamics of biotic resistance to plant invasions

Biotic resistance, the reduction in invasion success caused by native communities, plays an important role in the long-term dynamics of biological invasions. A large body of empirical research on bio...

011

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Led by Ashley Darst and Joshua Ajowele, together with @nameer.bsky.social @maoweiliang.bsky.social iliang.bsky.social @smriti-pehim-limbu.bsky.social @rosalieterry.bsky.social and many more who are not on 🦋. We had great support by @nickhaddad.bsky.social, @drkimkomatsu.bsky.social and Eric Seabloom

131

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Further, nutrient addition alters resistance & resilience indirectly by reducing species richness and increasing dominance. In summary: A combination of richness, dominance and evenness are needed for stability during extreme climates, but all of them together cannot be maximized simultaneously.

doi.org

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

With this unique dataset, we found that - species richness is important for resistance to extreme dry events - the abundance of dominant species is important for resistance to extreme wet events - evenness is important for resilience under unfertilized conditions

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

We assembled over 40 years of data from 3 grassland sites in the Midwest to identify the community characteristics that drive resistance and resilience in the face of extreme dry and wet climatic events.

120

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

We came up with research questions, identified relevant analytical approaches and datasets, organized and analyzed for a long time without a leader. The project moved forward by many small and big contributions by every single member. No big egos, no elbows, just fun and curiosity!

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This paper is especially dear to me, because of the unique journey of how it came to be. It shows what happens when you throw curious minds, food, a bunch of data and some scientific input in a room together for a couple of days and let the magic happen. (organized by @nameer.bsky.social 💚)

220

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

📃🚨🌎 Now published: "Multiple Community Properties Drive Ecosystem Resistance and Resilience to Extreme Climate Events Across Mesic Grasslands". This is the result of a synthesis project by a bunch of early career researchers on data from @kbslter.bsky.social, Cedar Creek LTER and Konza Prairie LTER

163

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Nicolas Mouquet @nmouquet.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

‪ 🌳 Do you want to contribute to research on how humans perceive forests? Take this quick, anonymous 10-min survey 🌲 👉 www.biodiful.org#/forest This will help us explore how people experience forest biodiversity! Please share on 🦋 & tag @biodiful.bsky.social to reach more participants 🙏💚 🌐🌍🦤🦑🪴🍁🧪

40552633

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Together these results show that bottom-up and top-down factors interact with necromass chemistry to govern necromass decay. They highlight the critical role of plants in coupling aboveground fungal communities with belowground decomposer communities & their collective influence on soil C cycling.

010

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The decomposition of low quality necromass was primarily driven by treatment-induced shifts in abiotic soil conditions (moisture, pH), whereas high quality necromass decomposition was governed by biotic drivers (mould & yeast relative abundance, C3 grass abundance).

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Fertilization increased fungal abundance, while fungicide promoted bacterial abundance on high-quality necromass.

This is figure 5 from the published manuscript. It shows the log response ratios (LRR, response to fungicide and fertilizer treatment) of bacterial (panel A) and fungal (panel B) sequence abundance at 6 and 32 days after litter bag placement in the field. Fungal abundance on high quality litter increased with fertilizer at 6 days after placement, and bacterial abundance on high quality litter increased with fungicide and fungicide+fertilizer treatment at 6 days after placement.

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

As for plant litter, fertilization generally accelerated early-stage necromass decomposition, but this was surprisingly not enhanced by fungicide application.

Figure 3 from the published manuscritp. It shows the proportion of high and low quality necromass remaining in litterbags at different time points up to 60 days after placement of litterbags in the field (panel a). This is shown for different treatments (with and without fungicide, with and without fertilizer). In panel B and C, the decomposition rates k and the slow pool size A response ratio to treatments are shown by necromass type (high and low quality). The results in this figure described in the results section of the manuscript: "Treatment effects on fungal necromass decomposition were most pronounced during the early phase of decomposition (Fig. 3A). Fertilization accelerated the decay of the fast pool but only in control
plots, in which necromass k increased from 0.10 ± 0.01 day⁻1 to 0.13 ± 0.01 day⁻1. On average, the decay rate of Cladosporium was nearly double that of Hyaloscypha and showed greater responsiveness to treatments overall (Fig. 3B, LRR > 0). Specifically, Cladosporium decay
was accelerated by fertilizer, fungicide, and their combination. However, when fungicide and fertilizer were applied together, decay rates were no
higher than under either treatment alone (Fig. 3B). The size of the slow pool (A), which represents the proportion of necromass remaining after the initial fast pool decays, exhibited a complex three-way interaction between substrate quality, fungicide, and fertilization. In unfertilized plots, fungicide application significantly increased the proportion
of Cladosporium necromass that persisted in the slow phase from 0.18 ± 0.01 to 0.25 ± 0.02 (Fig. 3C), making its long-term persistence comparable to that of the low quality Hyaloscypha necromass (0.25 ± 0.04; averaged across all treatments). In fertilized plots, fungicide failed
to increase the slow pool size, which was similar between fungicide treated (0.20 ± 0.02) and control plots (0.20 ± 0.01)."

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

For this, she decomposed fungal necromass of varying quality in a consumer removal experiment at Cedar Creek, where we manipulated the presence of foliar fungal pathogens and nutrient availability.

A lush grassland with yellow flowers scattered throughout. In the grassland there are poles and fences that separate experimental plots from each other. In the background there are oak trees and a blue sky.

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Here, Katie investigated the role of fungi for carbon cycling, as input to soils in the form of fungal necromass, as saprotrophs living on soil organic carbon and as plant pathogens controlling the availability of plant derived soil carbon and how their role varied under increased nutrient supply

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

🧪🌍 🚨📄published *Interactive effects of plant-mediated controls and substrate quality on fungal necromass decay* 🍄 led by the amazing Katie Beidler, with many excellent scientist from University of Minnesota onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... ⬇️Short summary in thread below🧵⬇️

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

111

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Anne Kempel @annekempel.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Taking a fun way to work to @slfdavos.bsky.social today with @serainacappelli.bsky.social 😀❄️⛄️

0171

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Anne Roulin @anneroulin.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

📣📣📣 This 👇

011

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

The new Wiley journal review system is an absolute nightmare. Editorial assistants have been replaced by a clunky, AI-enabled website that makes it harder to find and invite reviewers. Associate editor workloads have increased. I'm not convinced the invitations to reviewers are even going through.

1115563

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

- cran.r-project.org/web/packages... - rdrr.io/github/Benja...?

cran.r-project.org

100

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

The bigger, the better! But honestly, I just have no idea of American units 😅 You can download the poster here: koiosjerome.direct.quickconnect.to:5001/sharing/CxrG... and I am more than happy to chat about it anytime 😃😃😃

koiosjerome.direct.quickconnect.to

010

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Are you at @ESA2025 today? Come see my poster (263) about small consumer impacts on plant litter impacts on decomposition!

1152

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Dr. Bala Chaudhary @balachaudhary.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Our new global study led by @smriti-pehim-limbu.bsky.social is now out in @pnas.org. TLDR: Certain spore traits were linked to climate AND species range sizes! YES we can use traits to gain insight into env adaptations for microbes. #mycorrhizas #spores #NSFfunded www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

eurekalert.org

How climate shapes soil fungal traits

Many soil microbes play a vital role in ecosystems, as they help plants access nutrients and water and assist in stress tolerance such as during drought and to defend against pathogens. One such group...

24417

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

at FEMS Microbiology Ecology here: doi.org/10.1093/fems...

010

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

The study focuses on soil microbial communities. Benefits to the current crop are not presented in this study (see other studies from the experiment for this). Soils from plots with legume cover crops in the previous year increased AMF colonization in flax, suggesting benefits to following crops.

000

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

With Karoliina Huusko, @omsietio.bsky.social, Bernhard Schmid, Paula Thitz, Stephanie Gerin, @annaliisalaine.bsky.social, Annalea Lohila and @jheinons.bsky.social 6/6

120

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Overall, diverse cover crops, particularly mixtures including legumes, sustained diverse and beneficial fungal communities over winter, already after one year of expeirment. Agricultural diversification using CCs may have positive impacts on the microbial communities. 5/6

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Some highlights of many results -vegetation and cover crop richness increased microbial biomass and microbial growth efficiency -Cover crop richness increased AM fungal diversity while legumes suppressed fungal pathogens -Legumes boosted next years crops association with beneficial AM fungi 4/6

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

For her PhD project, Rashmi characterized #TWINWINS bulk soil microbial communities across seasons, and used additional experiments to assess decomposition and legacy effects on AM colonization in a consecutive crop. 3/5

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

#TWINWIN experiment is an agricultural biodiversity experiment, where the agricultural crop is undersown with cover crop species mixtures of varying species richness and functional composition to test if results from ecological biodiversity experiments can be applied to agricultural practices. 2/6

TWINWIN experiment design: (a) Three control (bare fallow, barley + herbivide, barley monoculture) and four undersowing treatments (diversity levels 1, 2, 4, and 8). (b) The eight undersown species /Trifolium hybridum, T. repens, T. pratense, Medicago sativa, Lolium multiflorum, Phleum pratense, Festuca arundinacea and Cichorium intybus) vary in rooting depth and N-fixation
capacity, leading to four different ‘functional types’. (c) The undersown communities vary in richness and functional diversity (number of functional types of undersowns in a plot). (d) The 60 plots are arranged in four blocks.

Figure 2 from Cappelli, Seraina Lisa; Domeignoz Horta, Luiz Alberto; Gerin, Stephanie; Heinonsalo, Jussi; Lohila, Annalea; Raveala, Krista et al. (2024): Potential of undersown species identity versus diversity to manage disease in crops. In Funct Ecol 38 (7), pp. 1497–1509. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14592.

130

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

🚨📃🧪 New paper out: "Impacts of diverse undersown cover crops on seasonal soil microbial properties". Rashmi Shrestha used the #TWINWIN experiment to show that undersowing crops with diverse plant mixtures, particularly including legumes has beneficial effects on soil microbial life and function 1/6

Aerial view on the 60 plots of the TWINWIN experiment surrounded by grass and agricultural fields. The plots vary in color that represent the different undersown treatments. In the background is a road, buildings and forests. The sky is blue with some white clouds.

3235

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Oh no! You will spend the rest of your life on this mountain 🫣

010

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

I hope thyme is not on your species list 😅😜

100

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

WSL Umweltforschung @wslresearch.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#Sciencejob Alert! Scientific career, experience in leading #research projects & international network? Strong expertise in #forest #ecology and/or #soil #processes and/or #tree functions? 🌳 We are looking for a new head of the forest and soil ecology research unit: apply.refline.ch/273855/1726/...

The Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL is part of the ETH Domain. Approximately 600 people work on the sustainable use and protection of the environment and on the handling of natural hazards.

Due to retirement, WSL invites for applications for the position as

Head of Research Unit Forest and Soil Ecology 90-100% (f/m/d)
You will lead and inspire an internationally recognized Research Unit comprising seven well-established, strong Research Groups and approximately 100 collaborators from around 20 countries. As a distinguished ecologist, you will play an important role in national and international projects focusing on forest or soil science. In the unit, you will integrate diverse research fields, while facilitating and promoting the scientific and strategic development of the research groups. By your extensive experience you will align the unit with WSL’s vision of fostering research for people and the environment in a changing world. You will engage with key forest authorities and expert organizations, ensuring impactful collaborations, and optimizing the knowledge transfer.
You are at an advanced stage of your scientific career, experienced in leading research teams and managing large projects. You possess a strong record as a Principal Investigator of significant initiatives, an outstanding publication portfolio, and a well-established international network. Deep expertise in forest ecology and/or soil processes and/or tree functions is assumed. You exemplify initiative, integration, and commitment, with proven skills in leadership, communication, and negotiation. Fluency in English and proficiency in at least one Swiss national language are required.

0810

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

‪🧪🌍 🚨📄published *Consumers Modulate Effects of Plant Diversity on Community Stability* 🪲🐛🍄🌱 led by Maowei Liang, with Elizabeth Borer, Eric Seabloom and David Tilman. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... ⬇️Short summary in thread below🧵⬇️

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

071

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

You can double book it for your karma/CV: mentorship AND review.

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Thanks Nameer! Maowei deserves those congratulations way more than I do! 😅

010

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Despite having a smaller impact than plant species diversity, our findings show that a loss of arthropod or fungal consumers could destabilize plant communities. The small critter has important ecological roles, such contributing to ecological stability! Don't overlook it 🪲🍄🐛💚

Close up of the underside of a Lespedeza capitat leave. One leaflet is covered with black rust pustules.

030

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Plant species richness increased biomass stability due to an increase in plant species asynchrony. Food web complexity alone did not impact community stability, but it further increased species asynchrony at high plant species richness.

Three panel figure that shows the links between diversity and community stability, as well as its components species stability and species asynchrony. The first panel shows that plant community stability increases with plant species richness equally across three levels of trophic complexity. The second panel shows a slight decrease of species stability with increasing plant species richness across three levels of trophic complexity. The third panel shows a strong increase of species asynchrony with plant species richness and this relationship is strongest at high trophic complexity and weakest at low trophic complexity.

160

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Based on 14 years of plant biomass data from an experiment in which we manipulated plant species richness and presence of different consumer groups (insect herbivores, foliar fungal pathogens, soil oomycetes), we studied the joint impact of plant diversity and trophic complexity for stability.

Grasshopper that is looking at you. Photographed through the windshield on which it is sitting. There is autumn prairie, trees and blue sky in the background, but out of focus.

140

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

🧪🌍A little cheer up between a lot of negative news: Our paper about the importance of food-web complexity 🌱🐛🪲🍄 for ecosystem stability has just been accepted! Great lead by Maowei Liang, together with Elizabeth Borer, Eric Seabloom and Dave Tilman. Preprint: www.authorea.com/doi/full/10....

authorea.com

Consumers Modulate Effects of Plant Diversity on Community Stability

Biotic complexity, encompassing both competitive interactions within trophic levels and consumptive interactions among trophic levels, plays a fundamental role in maintaining ecosystem stability. Whil...

2277

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Co-reviews that some journals offer are a great way to start. And these guidelines www.britishecologicalsociety.org/wp-content/u...

britishecologicalsociety.org

110

Seraina Cappelli @serainacappelli.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

My rejection rate is high, because the review request rate has been incredibly high lately. For every review, I turn down 4-5, simply because I can't do more. But that is n=1.

100

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

WSL Umweltforschung @wslresearch.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

🥼 🖥️ #PhDalert! MSc in #environmental #science or related, experience with #field #data collection & strong background in #statistical #analysis? The Biogeochemistry research group is looking for a #PhD student in #Plant #Water #Relations. 🌊🌱 apply.refline.ch/273855/1709/...

he Forest Soils and Biogeochemistry research unit investigates the impacts of climate change on soil biodiversity, soil functions, and ecosystem processes. The Biogeochemistry research group is looking from June 1, 2025 for a
PhD student in Plant Water Relations
Extreme droughts and heatwaves are increasingly threatening forest ecosystems in Switzerland, altering water availability and leading to tree stress. The DeepDrought project aims to advance our understanding of plant reliance on deep soil water and its role in mitigating drought stress. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to assess species-specific root water uptake patterns, dendrometer derived tree water deficit, and water use efficiency across Swiss forests using a combination of field observations, stable isotope analyses, and predictive modeling. The PhD candidate will focus on assessing plant reliance on deep soil water and will work closely with a multidisciplinary team across the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research (WSL), ETH Zürich, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The research will contribute to refining our understanding of plant-water interactions and enhancing climate resilience strategies for Swiss forests.
You hold a master’s degree in environmental sciences, hydrology, ecology, forestry, or a related field. Experience with field data collection, particularly soil or plant water measurements, is an asset. A strong background in statistical analysis is desirable. Familiarity with stable isotope data, dendrometry, or soil hydrology is advantageous. Proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python for data analysis and modeling is required. You are highly motivated, independent, and eager to collaborate in an interdisciplinary research team. Excellent English skills are necessary, and knowledge of German or French is a plus but not essential.

043

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Anne Kempel @annekempel.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Check out what our @bugnet.bsky.social PhD student Julien Bota is doing at our experimental sites in Davos! @slfdavos.bsky.social

0194

Reposted by Seraina Cappelli

Paul Kardol @paulkardol.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Two cool post-doc positions available at Umeå Uni to work on David Wardle's unique long-term experiments on lake islands in N-Sweden! One position focuses on microbial communities, the other on above-belowground linkages. Please, share! 🧬🦠🌲🍂 www.umu.se/en/work-with... www.umu.se/en/work-with...

04340