Research
Major questions we try to address are related to the variation of plant communities across ecological gradients, and the drivers influencing regeneration, persistance or extinction of individual species from local to global spatial scales. Central topics refer to the taxonomic, functional or phylogenetic diversity of vegetation types subjected to glacial history and refugia, like alpine grasslands (see the ALPVEG network), mires (with the Peatland Research Group) or mountain forests. We are also interested in the general response of ecosystems to climate change and plant invasions. Research is mostly empirical but with a sound background on ecological theory and statistical modeling, using large databases, field work and laboratory experiments.
Biogeography of plant communities
When we observe natural and semi-natural habitats all around the world, the first impression we make is about vegetation. The diversity of vegetation is linked to the distribution and abundance of plant species and their co-occurrence in plant communities as a response to biotic and abiotic factors. These communities may change drastically at the landscape scale, but they also may look similar in different regions under similar environmental constraints. These patterns are governed by historical and environmental factors across multiple ecological processes.
Using observation data from vegetation databases at continental (EVA) and global (sPlot) scales, we root on the community assembly theory to conduct empirical research for addressing the following questions: How plant community diversity varies across time and space? What is the role of historical and environmental factors on these patterns? How can we model vegetation to map ecosystems?
A conceptual framework for studying community assembly at the multi-regional level. From: Jiménez-Alfaro et al (2018). History and environment shape species pool and community diversity in European beech Forests. Nature Ecology and Evolution 2: 483-490.
Seed trait ecology
The evolutionary success of vascular plants on terrestrial habitats is strongly linked to the "invention" of seeds and fruits. Globally, these propagules are a key stage for plant regeneration through processes such as dispersal, germination and establishment. The success of a plant to regenerate will depend on internal and external factors, which ultimately define the ecological response of seeds to environmental drivers. Seed traits are also key tools for understanding community assembly and for habitat restoration.
By using both observational and experimental studies on seed traits across different habitats, we aim to understand:: How the seed spectrum of ecological functions differs across habitats? What are the trade-offs of seed traits across species and communities? How seed ecology helps us to underline ecosystem restoration?
A comparison of basic seed traits in generalists and specialist (strict) plants occurring in alpine habitats globally. From: Fernández-Pascual et al (2019). The seed germination spectrum of alpine plants: a global meta-analysis. Ney Phytologist 229: 3573-3583
Plant conservation and global change
The Anthropocene is reducing the diversity of global ecosystems at an unprecendent rate. Habitat deterioration and climate warming are both influencing the diversity and distribution of plants, reducing the occupancy of native species at the expense of invasive aliens. Despite this being a general trend, identifying the response of plant diversity to global change is regionally idiosyncratic, and different trends may came out between regions with different historical or environmenal settings.
Our approach for plant conservation is linked to the research program of the Atlantic Botanic Garden in northern Spain, pointing at the following questions: How climate change and human impact is influencing plant and habitat diversity? How conservation actions and passive rewilding may enhance ecosystem services? How the collections of botanic gardens may support plant conservation strategies?
Phylogenetic tree of the vascular plants of the Cantabrian Mountains From Jiménez-Alfaro et al (2021). Checklist of the vascular plants of the Cantabrian Mountains. Mediterranean Botany 42: e74570
