Johan Asplund

I am interested in experimental and functional forest ecology. Primarily I am interested in species-driven ecological processes such as herbivory and decomposition and the role functional traits play in driving these processes. Consequently, I am also focusing how functional traits vary with environmental change. I am interested in how interactions between plant-derived defence compounds and soil food-webs affect soil processes related to carbon and nutrient cycling. I have also focused on lichens and the role they play in the ecosystem especially how they impact higher trophic levels.

I am currently involved in the project "EcoForest - Forestry effects on biodiversity, carbon stocks and ecological processes in mature boreal forests" funded by the Research Council of Norway.

My publications at Google Scholar and at ResearchGate

Current PhD-candidates:

Milda Norkute (2021-; co-supervisor)

Rieke Lo Madsen (2021-; co-supervisor) The effect of forestry on carbon storage in boreal forest

Lea-Rebekka Tonjer (2020-) The role of interactions between soil fauna and polyphenols for nutrient and carbon cycling 

Vilde Haukenes (2020-; co-supervisor) Historical drivers of biodiversity and carbon stocks in boreal forests

Yngvild Ransedokken (2017-; co-supervisor) Plant- and fungi-derived belowground carbon in different boreal forest types

Previous PhD-candidates

Kristel van Zuijlen (2016-2019) Functional traits and decomposition of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants in an alpine ecosystem

Ruben E. Roos (2016-2019) Functional traits across primary producer groups and their effects on micro-arthropod communities in alpine Norway