My research focuses on the effects of sustainable agricultural practices on soil biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Specifically, I study how agro-ecological approaches to improve above-ground biodiversity such as crop rotation, intercropping and set-aside fields impact below-ground diversity and function. Healthier and more biodiverse soils can limit the risk of plant pathogens, reduce external inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers and ultimately enhance productivity and profitability for farmers. I use long-term agro-ecological field experiments combined with genetic methods to assess how different practices influence farmland soil health.
