Lars Markesteijn

Dr. Lars Markesteijn is a Senior Lecturer in Forest Science at Bangor University's School of Environmental and Natural Sciences and an Associate Professor in Ecology at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid. His research focuses on tropical forest ecology, functional ecology, and plant-enemy interactions, particularly exploring mechanisms like negative density dependence (NDD) that maintain biodiversity. He holds a PhD in Tropical Forest Ecology from Wageningen University and has conducted postdoctoral research globally, including at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and institutions in the US and Germany.

Education:

• PhD in Tropical Forest Ecology, Wageningen University (2010)
• MSc and BSc in Tropical Land Use, Wageningen University (2005, 2002)

Research Interests:

Markesteijn investigates how natural enemies (pathogens, herbivores), physiological traits, and environmental factors influence plant coexistence and diversity. Key areas include:

• Negative density dependence along humidity gradients
• Plant hydraulic strategies and drought tolerance
• Functional trait-based community assembly

Publications & Grants:

He has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles, including works on tropical seedling dynamics, TRY plant trait database contributions, and El Niño impacts. He secured grants like the NWO Rubicon Fellowship and the Beatriz Galindo Fellowship, and serves as an editorial board member for Frontiers in Forests and Global Change.

Teaching:

Coordinates modules on Forest Health and Ecological Restoration, contributing to courses on silviculture, tropical studies, and biodiversity-ecosystem functions.

Awards:

• Beatriz Galindo Distinguished Researcher Fellowship (2020)
• NWO Rubicon Fellowship (2010)

Labs/Teams:

Collaborates with global networks like STRI, and leads projects on tropical forest regeneration and climate impacts.