Dr. Janna Barel

Biography

Janna Barel is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University specializing in Ecology and Biodiversity. Her research focuses on the intricate interactions between plants and soil, aiming to uncover their roles in carbon and nutrient cycling and how these dynamics are influenced by global changes. Leading the Plant-Soil Interaction research team, she investigates the critical functions of these interactions in ecosystems, particularly in peatlands which are vital as natural carbon sinks. She explores how peatland vegetation and soil communities respond to changing environmental conditions and climate change, striving to develop effective restoration measures. Barel's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the belowground seasonal dynamics of soil biological processes, as well as the phenology of aboveground plant life. Her team collaborates with various research groups, including the 3D lab on the MicroFracNet project, to explore the microscale interactions impacted by climate factors. Additionally, Barel is involved in citizen science initiatives that engage the public in data collection about belowground biodiversity, reinforcing the importance of collaborative scientific efforts in ecology.

Research Interests

Experience