Several members of MultiTroph participated at the European Conference of Tropical Ecology in Amsterdam (24 – 28 February 2025). Three of our PhD students, Matteo Dadda, Joshua Spitz, and Massimo Martini, presented the most recent findings of their research on multitrophic interactions in the largest forest biodiversity experiment worldwide, sparking discussions and planting the seeds for future work and collaborations.
Matteo kicked things off by presenting his discoveries on the effects of forest tree richness and canopy cover on deadwood debris production. Joshua’s talk also showcased the important role of canopy cover and associated changes in microclimate, specifically in shaping ant communities and functional traits in young forest stands.
Finally, Massimo’s poster showcased his work on temporal dynamics of cavity-nesting Hymenoptera over 10 years of forest succession. His findings sparked a compelling (and often neglected) argument about the role of time and forest growth on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships.
The trip to Amsterdam was a great chance for our members to connect with the broader tropical scientific community. The team took the opportunity to discuss new ideas with peers and lay the groundwork for immediate and future projects.