Ecosystem health and biodiversity extends beyond species counts

For years, Diana Wall's research has focused on the functional-trait ecology and diversity of soil microorganisms in order to better understand overall biodiversity. While species counts have traditionally been used to assess ecosytem health, functional traits can provide insight into how organisms might cope with a changing climate and influence conservation goals. In the case of soil microorganisms, their activities are generally easier to identify than the species themselves. Read more about what Diana has to say regarding the emerging field of functional-trait ecology here: https://www.nature.com/news/biodiversity-moves-beyond-counting-species-1.22079

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