Research Overview

Hongmei’s research focuses on the belowground processes. She has studied root foraging plasticity during her master study at the Beijing Normal University and the effects of plant diversity on community root production, mortality, and decomposition at the Jena Experiment during her PhD at the Leipzig University. Currently she works as a research associate in the Natural Environment Research Council ‘highlights’ Award project ‘Locked up: The role of biotic and abiotic interactions in the stabilisation and persistence of SOC’. She will work closely with Prof. Nick Ostle and collaborators from NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, University of Leeds to improve the mechanistic understanding of SOC persistence.