Faculté des sciences · Institut de biologie · Laboratory of Functional Ecology · Sarah Semeraro-Miéville

Institut de biologie

Laboratory of Functional Ecology

Sarah Semeraro-Miéville
Postdoc
sarah.mieville@unine.ch

D223
+41 32 718 22 28

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PhD in Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2024
MSc in Biology, specializations in Ecology & Environment and Chemical Ecology, University of Neuchâtel, 2018
BSc in Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2017

Research

My research focuses on plant–soil interactions across the different bioclimatic regions of Switzerland, with a particular interest in the processes that drive soil formation and evolution. I study the complex ecological relationships linking above‑ and below‑ground components of terrestrial ecosystems, examining how biotic and abiotic factors influence soil functions and ecosystem services over time and along environmental gradients.

I also have a strong interest in the preservation and scientific value of soil archives, including the soil library of the University of Neuchâtel, on which I have worked extensively. These collections provide an essential long‑term resource for documenting soil history, monitoring changes, and supporting future research.

Main Research Topics

  • Soil science
  • Pedogenesis
  • Organic matter decomposition
  • Humus forms
  • Soil–vegetation interactions
  • Ecosystem functions
  • Science communication & pedagogy

Current Projects

2025 ¦ Terres vivantes Project In collaboration with Prof. Claire Le Bayon and Sarah Rey. Finalization of the project, results dissemination, and publications.

2024–2025 ¦ Artemisia absinthium Project Botanical Garden of Neuchâtel, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Functional Ecology (UniNE). Soil sampling and laboratory analyses.

Teaching

Other collaborations

Awards

SNSF Scientific Image Competition 2020 – Jury distinction, Category 3 “Places and Instruments”

Press & media

Epiderme ¦ Club 44 :  Discussion around Marc Renaud’s photographic project Epiderme. A cross‑conversation exploring soil‑related issues, their essential functions, and their growing fragility.

Funding

2021 – Equality Grant, 5,000 CHF

Publications
Semeraro, Sarah and Fazzari, Maud and Nomoto, Hanna and Defossez, Emmanuel and Glauser, Gaëtan and Le Bayon, Renée-Claire and Rasmann, Sergio, Phytochemical Diversity Predicts Litter Decomposition Along Elevation Gradients. Available at SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5015558

Semeraro, S., Tuchschmid, R., Gobat, J. M., Rasmann, S., & Le Bayon, R. C. (2025). Temporal changes in soil properties: Insights from a 37-years-old Swiss soil library. Geoderma, 459, 117363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117363 

Semeraro, S. (2024). The relative contribution of the five pedogenesis factors to soil formation and soil organic matter incorporation across environmental gradients (R.-C. Le Bayon & S. Rasmann (eds.)). Neuchâtel : Université de Neuchâtel. https://doi.org/10.35662/unine-thesis-3151

Semeraro, S., Fazzari, M., Kipf, P., Rasmann, S., & Le Bayon, R.-C. (2023). Humus Forms and Organic Matter Decomposition in the Swiss Alps. International Journal of Plant Biology, 14(3), 729-745. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb14030054

Semeraro, S., Kipf, P., Le Bayon, R. C., & Rasmann, S. (2023). Solar radiation explains litter degradation along alpine elevation gradients better than other climatic or edaphic parameters. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 1152187. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1152187 

Semeraro, S., Kergunteuil, A., Sánchez-Moreno, S., Puissant, J., Goodall, T., Griffiths, R., & Rasmann, S. (2022). Relative contribution of high and low elevation soil microbes and nematodes to ecosystem functioning. Functional Ecology, 36, 974–986. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14002