Escalating effects of multiple perturbations on soil biodiversity and function

The objective of this project is to evaluate the effects of multiple perturbations on soil biodiversity and functioning, when applied alone and in combination, via direct effects and indirect effects via changes in plant functioning. Prediction of the effects of simultaneous perturbations is extremely difficult and a major challenge in ecology. However, perturbations rarely occur alone in nature, and they are predicted to increase in intensity and frequency in the future, due to global change and the ever-increasing demand for food production. This project will help to unravel the potentially strong synergistic negative effects of combined perturbations, which cannot be predicted by the addition of the effects of individual perturbations. It will also generate valuable knowledge that will help us better understand the actual challenges of sustainable management and food security and highlight potentially novel stress mitigation strategies.