Functional DIVErsity and Nitrogen cycle - DIVE-N

 

 

 

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We are developing projects aimed at understanding the interactions between nitrogen-related microbial and plant functional diversity and the biotic and abiotic components of various environments, in order to assess the contribution of this diversity to ecosystem functions and services such as soil fertility maintenance, climate regulation (via greenhouse gas emissions in particular) and water quality. Our main study models are the microbial functional groups of the nitrogen cycle, in particular those involved in nitrification, denitrification and free fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Our approach is based on assessment of the activities, abundances, diversity and traits of the groups studied. In this approach, functional diversity is considered a fundamental element for understanding and predicting the relationships between biodiversity, functioning and ecosystem services.