AiroPlant conducts research on the interaction between vegetation and the atmosphere. Our research focus is at the interface between terrestrial eco(physio)logy and atmospheric science, with particular focus on impacts of climate change and air pollution on ecosystems ranging from arctic to tropical.
We conduct field work in different parts of the world, including the Arctic tundra as well as the Boreal, Temperate and Tropical biomes. Research approaches include controlled, ecologically realistic field experiments with air pollution, elevated temperature, elevated carbon dioxide, nutrient supply etc, as well as studies along natural environmental gradients (latitudinal, elevational). In addition, we conduct theoretical syntheses of data from our experiments and from the literature. Our research covers different spatial scales and we aim to understand not only how plants respond to environmental factors, but also how these responses translate into effects on ecosystem processes and climate feedbacks.