Plants don’t exist naturally in isolation. They are surrounded by, colonised by, and interact with, microorganisms.

Our research explores the concept of priming-induced stress memory in plants, where exposure to mild or non-lethal stress events equips plants to better confront subsequent, more severe stressors.

The simultaneous measurement of meteorological variables along with ecosystem physiology has improved our understanding of how native and managed ecosystems respond to external forcings like climate change.

C4 photosynthesis is one of the most prolific complex traits in the biosphere, having independently evolved over 70 times in flowering plants. Understanding C4 evolution is providing insights into how evolution builds complex life forms that can transform the biosphere.

Will ecosystems maintain their biodiversity and function under global environmental change, and continue to sequester carbon and slow climate change?

Photosynthesis and leaf respiration are key metabolic processes for plant growth and their carbon exchange with the atmosphere are the largest within the global carbon cycle.