Nina Seidel
Master’s in Biology
nina.seidel@unine.ch
Research Interests
- Plant ecology
- Effects of environmental factors (altitude, climate)
- Climate change
- Plant–herbivore interactions
Project
My project focuses on the impact of the environment—particularly the altitude gradient—on the functional traits and metabolic composition of the yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea). Historically rarely consumed by cattle, this plant appears to have been consumed more frequently in recent years. This could be linked to changes in its chemical composition, which are themselves influenced by climate change (drought, heat). To investigate this, I am comparing populations along elevation gradients at several sites in Switzerland (Morcles, Orsières, and Chasseral). I measure various functional traits, analyze the plants’ metabolomic profiles, and use bioassays to assess how these variations may influence the performance of herbivores.
