Lucy Rowland

University of Exeter

I am an ecologist researching how environmental change alters the way plants function. My work focuses on understanding the role tropical ecosystems, from humid tropical rainforests to dry forest and savannas, play in controlling global climate and how restoring these ecosystems can help us control climate change.

I am a Associate Professor and NERC independent research fellow at The University of Exeter. My research has focused on making detailed measurements of plant characteristics relating to the carbon and water cycle in tropical ecosystems to understand how these cycles interact and are limited by changing environmental conditions. Furthermore I use field data to develop dynamic global vegetation models which help us to improve how well we can predict future climate change. My field and modelling research has a particular focus on trying to understand plant water-relations the role drought plays in altering ecosystem function and the interaction between vegetation and the atmosphere.

My research takes me all across the world, allowing me to explore ecosystems across South America, Africa and Asia, including some of the world’s most remote tropical forest field sites. If you want to find out more visit my Research, Research group and Blog pages.