Théo Steiner
PhD student
theo.steiner@unine.ch
D223
+41 32 718 22 28
In response to the ongoing environmental changes, Alpine plant species distributions are shifting upward. They then must adapt and acclimate to new environmental parameters. These processes can be studied through analyses of the metabolome of the plants (the whole spectrum of secondary metabolites produced by an organism), as they will likely produce specific molecules to interact with and protect themselves from their environment. In return, these molecules may influence their environment, like the soil properties and its microbial communities. The field that focuses on these matters is called ecometabolomics.
During my PhD thesis, I will compare the ecometabolomics of pairs of closely related alpine plant species found at low and high elevations, and of plants from the same species but grown at different elevations or from soils with contrasting chemical properties. From this main topic, my aim will be to uncover the intra and interspecific phytochemical diversity of a selection of alpine plant species, from different elevations and soil types; and to investigate how plant ecometabolomics are influenced by the soil microbiota.
It is crucial to understand how well mountainous and alpine plant species are adapting to global warming, as plant biodiversity often plays a major role in ecosystem functioning. My results could help scientists and policymakers on different topics. For example, by enhancing the quality of evidence-based conservation plans, or by assessing the impacts of upward-migrating plant species in their new ecosystems.
