Pascal A. Niklaus

Pascal A. Niklaus is a Senior Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich. He leads the Global Change and Soil Ecology Group, focusing on plant-soil interactions, biogeochemical cycles, and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. His research integrates field experiments, statistical analysis, and microbial ecology to address global change impacts on ecosystems.

• Education:
• PhD in Botany, University of Basel (1997-2000)
• Postdoctoral positions at ETH Zurich and University of Basel
• National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2001-2002)

Research Interests: His work explores how plant diversity influences ecosystem processes, particularly methane and nitrous oxide dynamics in soils. He investigates microbial community responses to environmental changes and the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem resilience. His studies span terrestrial ecosystems, including forests and grasslands, using experimental approaches and advanced analytical techniques.

Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes climate impacts on tree traits, microbial diversity effects on carbon cycling, and the role of plant-soil interactions in mediating global change effects. Key themes include biodiversity-productivity relationships and the ecological consequences of species loss.

• Awards: No specific scientific awards listed, but recognized for editorial roles in Oecologia and Scientific Reports.

Grants & Grants: Secured funding from NSF, Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Treubel Foundation. Current projects address soil ecology under global change and microbial community dynamics.

Labs/Teams: Head of the Global Change and Soil Ecology Group at UZH, collaborating with international networks on biodiversity and ecosystem studies.