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Alexandre Buttler
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Ecological Systems Laboratory
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Prof. Dr.
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office(s):
GRB2417
phone(s): [+41 21 69] 33939,33905,32771
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MISSION
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See the web page of the lab ECOS: http://ecos.epfl.ch/
Tasks and responsibilities
• Joint Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne – EPFL, Lausanne, and at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Switzerland
• Director of the Laboratory of Ecological Systems (ECOS)
• Head of the WSL Site Lausanne
• Professor at the University of Franche-Comté, Besançon , France
• Former delegate professor at CNRS, France
• Former member of the WSL directorate
Teaching activities (see: http://ecos.epfl.ch/enseignement/index.enseignement.html)
• Essentials of ecology and biodiversity (SIE, Bachelor 3)
• Numerical ecology (SIE, Master 1)
• Ecosystem restoration and management (SIE, Master 1)
• Participation to ENAC courses for architects and civil engineers
• Directing and supporting undergraduate, graduate students and PhD students in ecology
Keywords to summarize the research profile
• Wetland ecology
• Pasture woodland ecology
• Invasion ecology
• Ecological resilience
• Ecological diversity
• Biogeochemical cycles (carbon and nitrogen)
• Influence of CO2 and N enrichement on bog ecosystems
• Impact of climate change on ecosystems
• Impact of land-use change on ecosystems
• Above-belowground interactions
• Management and restoration
The research of the laboratory ECOS is centred on the organization, functioning and dynamics of terrestrial plant, animal and microbial communities in relation to ecosystem processes. We study spatial and temporal dynamics of natural ecosystems, impact of management and direct and indirect human impacts (e.g. climate change, land-use change, invasion by alien species, atmospheric depositions, etc.), and ecological resilience and restoration. One of our strength is the functional link between above and belowground communities in the production of critical ecosystem services and as indicators of a changing environment. We combine descriptive field studies, manipulative experiments in the field and in the lab, and ecological modelling (correlative and predictive). Model ecosystems are natural and semi-natural man-used sensitive and altered terrestrial ecosystems (peatlands, sylvopastoral and grasslands systems, floodplains).
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Publications
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Major publications in peer reviewed international journals (cited in ISI Web of Knowledge, JCR Science Edition):
1. Pohl, M., Graf, F., Buttler, A., Rixen, C. 2011 The relationship between plant species richness and soil aggregate stability can depend on disturbance. Plant Soil DOI 10.1007/s11104-011-1083-5.
2. Bragazza, L., Buttler, A., Habermarcher, J., Brancaleoni, L, Gerdol, R, Fritze, H, Hanajík, P, Laiho, R, and Johnson, D. 2011 Litter accumulation and carbon sequestration are reduced by nitrogen deposition in bogs. Global Change Biology (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02585.x).
3. Sekulova, L., Hajek, M., Hajkova, P., Mikulaskova, E., Buttler, A., Syrovatka, V., Rozbrojova, Z. 2011 Patterns of bryophyte and vascular plant richness in the European alpine springs. Plant Ecol. DOI 10.1007/s11258-011-9969-0
4. Delarue, F., Laggoun-Défarge, F., Buttler, A., Gogo, S., Jassey, V., Disnar, J.-R. 2011 Effect of short-term ecosystem experimental warming on water-extractable organic matter in an ombotrophic Sphagnum peatland (Le Forbonnet, France). Organic Geochmistry 42: 1016-1024.
5. Pohl, M., Stroude, R., Buttler, A., Rixen, C. 2011 Functional traits and root morphology of alpine plants. Annals of Botany doi:10.1093/aob/mcr169.
6. Jassey, V.E.J., Chiapusio, G., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. Toussaint, M-L., Binet, P., 2011Experimental climate effect on seasonal variations of polyphenols/phenoloxidase interplay in Sphagnum fallax along a narrow fen/bog ecological gradient. Global Change Biology 17: 2945-2957 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02437.x
7. Limpens, J., Granath, G., Gunnarsson, U., Aerts, R., Bayley, S, Bragazza, L., Bubier, J., Buttler, A., van den Berg, L., Francez, A.-J., Gerdol, R., Grosvernier, P., Heijmans, M.M.P.D, Hoosbeek, M.R., Hotes, S., Ilomets, M., Leith, I., Mitchell, E.A.D., Moore, T., Nilsson, M.B., Nordbakken, J-F., Rochefort, L., Rydin, H., Sheppard, L.J., Thormann, M., Wiedermann, M.M., Williams, B., Xu, B. 2011 Temperature and N saturation can exacerbate negative production response to increasing N deposition: a meta-analysis for Sphagnum mosses. New Phytologist (doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03680.x).
8. Ponel, P., Court-Picon, M., Badura, M., Guiter, F., De Beaulieu, J.-L., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Djamali, M., Leydet, M., Gandouin, E., Buttler, A. 2011 Holocene history of Lac des Lauzons (2180 m a.s.l.), reconstructed from multiproxy analyses of Coleoptera, plant macro-remains and pollen(Hautes-Alpes, France. Holocene. Holocene 1-18 DOI: 10.1177/0959683610385725.
9. Vuilleumier, S., Buttler, A., Perrin, N., Yearsley, J.-M. 2011 Invasion and eradication of a competitively superior species in heterogeneous landscapes. Ecological Modelling 222 : 398-406.
10. Thébault, , A., Gillet, F., Mueller-Schärer, H. and Buttler, A. 2010 Polyploidy and invasion success : trait trade-offs in native and introduced cytotypes of two Asteraceae species. Plant Ecology 163 : 1011-1020 (DOI 10.1007/s11258-010-9824-8).
11. Raharimalala, O., Buttler, A., Razanaka, S., Sorg, J.-P. and Gobat, J.-M. 2010 Soil-vegetation patterns in secondary slash and burn successions in Central Menabe, Madagascar. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ 139 (2010) 150–158.
12. Siegenthaler, A, Buttler, A., Bragazza, L, Van der Heijden, E., Grosvernier P, Gobat JM, Mitchell EAD 2010 Litter- and ecosystem-driven decomposition under elevated CO2 and enhanced N deposition in a Sphagnum peatland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 42 : 968-977.
13. Thébault, A., Frey, B., Mitchell, E.A.D., Buttler. A. 2010 Species-specific effects of polyploidisation and plant traits of Centaurea maculosa and Senecio inaequidens on rhizosphere microorganisms. Oecologia 163 : 1011-1020.
14. Samaritani, E., Siegenthaler, A., Yli-Petäys, M., Buttler, A., Christin, P.-A. & Mitchell, E. A.D. 2010 Seasonal Net Ecosystem Carbon Exchange of a Regenerating Cutaway Bog: How Long Does it Take to Restore the C-Sequestration Function? Restauration Ecology 19 (4) : 480-489 doi: 10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00662.x.
15. Gillet , F., Kohler, F., Vandenberghe, C., Buttler, A. 2010 Effect of dung deposition on small-scale patch structure and seasonal vegetation dynamics in mountain pastures. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 135 :34-41. (doi:10.1016/j.agee.2009.08.006.)
16. Vandenberghe, Ch., Smit, Ch., Pohl, M., Buttler, A. and Freléchoux, F. 2009 Does the strength of facilitation by nurse shrubs depend on grazing resistance of tree saplings? Basic and Applied Ecology, 10 (5) : 427-436.
17. Mazier, F., Galop D., Gaillard M.-J., Rendu C., Cugny C., Legaz A., Peyron O., Buttler A.. 2009. Multidisciplinary approach to reconstructing local pastoral activities- An example from the Pyrenean Mountains (Pays Basque). The Holocene 19(2) :171-188.
18. Artz, R.R.E, Chapman, S. J. , Siegenthaler, A., Mitchell, E.A.D., Buttler, A., Bortoluzzi, E., Gilbert, D., Yli-Petays, M., Vasander, H. and Francez, A.-J. 2008. Functional microbial diversity in cutover peatlands responds to vegetation succession and is partly directed by labile plant carbon. (J. Applied Ecology 45 : 1799-1809)
19. Mazier F., Brostöm A., Gaillard M.-J., Sugita S., Vittoz P., Buttler A. 2008. Pollen productivity estimates and Relevant Source Area for major taxa in a pasture woodland (Jura mountains, Switzerland). Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 17 : 479-495 (DOI 10.1007/s00334-008-0143-0).
20. Laggoun-Defarge, F., Mitchell, E., Gilbert, D., Disnar, J.-R., Comont, L., Warner, B., Buttler, A. 2007 Cutover peatland regeneration assessment using organic matter an microbial properties (bacteria and testate amoebae). J. Applied Ecology 45 : 716-727.
21. Vandenberghe, C., Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. 2007 The influence of shade and competition from herbaceous vegetation on simulated browsing tolerance of coniferous and deciduous saplings. Oïkos 117: 415-423.
22. Vandenberghe, C., Freléchoux, F. , Moravie, M-A., Gadallah, F. and Buttler, A. 2007 Short-term effects of cattle browsing on tree sapling growth in mountain wooded pastures. Plant Ecology 188 :253-264
23. Bortoluzzi, E., Epron, D., Siegenthaler, A., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. 2006 Carbon balance of a european mountain bog at constrasting stages of regeneration. New Phytologist 172 : 708-718.
24. Dufour, A., Gadallah, Z., Wagner, H., Guisan, A., Buttler, A. 2006 Plant species richness and environmental heterogeneity in a mountain landscape : effects of variability and spatial configuration. Ecography 29 :573-584.
25. Vandenberghe, Ch., Freléchoux, F., Gadallah, F., Buttler, A. 2006 Competitive effects of herbaceous vegetation on tree seedling emergence, growth and survival: does gap size matter? J. Veg. Sc. 17 : 481-488..
26. Court-Picon, M., Buttler, A., & Beaulieu (de), J-L. 2006. Anthropogenic signals in pollen diagrams from mountain environments: use of modern pollen/vegetation/land-use relationships in the French Alps. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany (IF 0.659), 15 : 151-168.
27. Mazier, F., Galop, D., Brun, C., Buttler, A. 2006. Modern pollen assemblages from grazed vegetation in the western Pyrenees, France : a numerical tool for more precise reconstruction of past cultural landscapes. The Holocene 16,1: 91-103.
28. Kohler F., Gillet F., Reust S., Wagner H. H., Gadallah F., Gobat J.-M. & Buttler A. 2006. Spatial and seasonal patterns of cattle habitat use in a mountain wooded pasture. Landscape Ecol 21: 281-295.
29. Kohler, F., Gillet, F., Gobat, J.M. & Buttler A. 2005 Effect of cattle activities on gap colonisation in mountain pastures. Folia Geobotanica 41: 289–304.
30. Kohler, F., Hamelin, J., Gillet, F., Gobat, J.M. & Buttler A. 2005. Soil microbial community changes in mountain wooded pastures due to simulated effects of cattle grazing. Plant and soil 278 (1-2) : 327-340
31. Court-Picon, M., Buttler, A., & Beaulieu (de), J-L. 2005. Numerical approach of the modern pollen rain in the Champsaur valley (French Alps) and relation to vegetation and land-use. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology (IF 0.867), 135 (1-2): 13-39.
32. Smit, C., Béguin, D., Buttler, A. & Müller-Schärer, H. 2005. Safe sites for tree regeneration: a case of associational resistance? Journal of Vegetation Science 16 : 209-214.
33. Kohler, F., Gillet, F., Progin, M.-A., Gobat, J.-M. & Buttler, A. 2004. Seasonal dynamics of plant species at fine scale in wooded pastures. Community Ecology 5: 7-17.
34. Kaufmann, K., Christophersen, M., Buttler, A., Harms, H., Hoehener, P. 2004 Microbial community response to petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in the unsaturated zone at the experimental field site Værløse, Denmark. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 48(3): 387-399.
35. Kohler, F., Gillet, F., Gobat, J.-M. and Buttler A. 2004 Seasonal vegetation changes in mountain pastures due to simulated effects of cattle grazing. Journal of vegetation science 15: 143-150 .
36. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. , Schweingruber, F. & Gobat, J.-M. 2004: Spatio-temporal pattern of bog pine (Pinus uncinata var. rotundata) at the interface with the Norway spruce (Picea abies) belt on the edge of a raised bog in the Jura Mountains, Switzerland. Ann. For. Sci. 61: 309-318.
37. Chapman, S., Buttler, A., Francez, A-J., Laggoun-Défarge, F., Vasander, H., Schloter, M., Combe, J., Grosvernier, P., Harms, H., Epron, D., Gilbert, D. and Mitchell E. 2003 Exploitation of northern peatlands and biodiversité maintenance: a conflict between economy and ecology. Front Ecol Environ 10 (1): 525-532
38. Mitchell, E.A.D., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Amblard, C., Grosvernier, P., Gobat, J.-M. 2003 Structure of microbial communities in Sphagnum peatlands and effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment. Microbial Ecology 46: 187-199.
39. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A., Gillet, F., Gobat, J.-M. and Schweingruber, F. H. 2003 Succession from bog pine (Pinus uncinata var. rotundata) to Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands in relation to anthropic factors in Les Saignolis bog, Jura mountains, Switzerland. Ann. For. Sci. 60: 1-10.
40. Hoosbeek, M., van Breemen, N., Vasander, H., Buttler, A., Berendse, F. 2002 Potassium limits potential growth of bog vegetation under elevated atmospheric CO2 and N deposition. Global Change Biology 8: 1-9.
41. Mitchell, E. A. D., Grosvernier, P., Buttler, A., Rydin, H., Siegenthaler, A., Gobat, J.-M. 2002 Contrasted effects of increased N and CO2 supply on two keystone species in peatland restoration and implications for global change. Journal of Ecology 90: 529-533.
42. Berendse, F., van Breemen, N., Rydin, H., Buttler, A., Heijmans, M., Hoosbeek, M., Lee, J., Mitchell, E, Saarinen, T, Vasander, H., Wallén, B., 2001 Raised atmospheric CO2 levels and increased N deposition cause shifts in plant species composition and production in Sphagnum bogs. Global Change Biology 7: 591-598.
43. Mitchell, E. A. D., van der Knaap, W.O., van Leeuwen, J. F. N., Buttler, A., Warner, B. G., 2001 The postglacial palaeoecological history of the Praz-Rodet bog (Swiss Jura) based on testate amoebae (Protozoa), pollen and macrofossils, and its significance in relation to the landscape vegetation history. The Holocene 11 (1): 65-80.
44. Siegenthaler, A., Mitchell, E., van der Heijden, E., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P. & Gobat, J.-M., 2001. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and mineral nitrogen deposition on litter quality, bioleaching and decomposition in a Sphagnum peat bog. In: Visconti et al. (Eds.) Global Change and Protected Areas, Kluwer Academic Publishers: 311-321.
45. Mitchell, E., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P., Albinsson, C., Rydin, H., Heijmans, M., Hoosbeek, M., Greenup, A., Foot, J., Saarinen, T., Vasander, H. & Gobat, J.-M., 2001. Can testate amoebae (Protozoa) and other microorganisms help to overcome biogeographic bias in large scale global change research? In: Visconti et al. (Eds.) Global Change and Protected Areas, Kluwer Academic Publishers: 301-310.
46. Grosvernier, P., Mitchell, E., Buttler, A. & Gobat, J-M., 2001. Effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen deposition on natural regeneration processes of cut-over ombrotrophic peat bogs in the Swiss Jura Mountains. In: Visconti et al. (Eds.) Global Change and Protected Areas, Kluwer Academic Publishers: 347-356.
47. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. , Schweingruber, F. & Gobat, J.-M., 2000 Stands structure, invasion and growth dynamics of bog pine (Pinus uncinata var. rotundata) in relation to peat cutting and drainage in the Jura mountains, Switzerland. Can. J. Forest Res. 30(7): 1114-1126.
48. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. & Gillet, F., 2000 Dynamics of bog-pine-dominated mires in the Jura Mountains, Switzerland: a tentative scheme based on synusial phytosociology. Folia Geobotanica 35: 273-288.
49. Mitchell, E.A.D., Borcard, D., Buttler, A.J., Grosvernier, Ph, Gilbert, D. & Gobat, J.-M. 2000 Horizontal distribution patterns of testate amoebae (Protozoa) in a Sphagnum magellanicum carpet. Microbial Ecology 39(4): 290-300.
50. Mitchell, E.A.D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Rydin, H., Hoosbeek, M.R, Greenup A. & Saarinen T., 2000 Relationships among testate amoebae (Protozoa), vegetation and water chemistry in five Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in Europe. The New Phytol. 145: 95-106.
51. Gillet, F., Murisier, B., Buttler, A., Gallandat, J.-D. & Gobat, J.-M., 1999 Influence of tree cover on diversity of herbaceous communities in subalpine wooded pastures. Applied Vegetation Science 2: 47-54.
52. Mitchell, EAD, Warner BG, Buttler A, Gobat J-M, 1999 Ecological patterns of testate amoebae (Protozoa) on peatlands in the Jura mountains, Switzerland and France. Ecoscience 6: 565-576
53. Williams, B.L., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Ilomets, M., Jauhiainen, J., Matthey, Y., Silcock, D. J., Vasander, H., 1999 The fate of NH4NO3 added to Sphagnum magellanicum carpets at five European mire sites. Biogeochemistry 45: 73-93.
54. Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P. & Matthey, Y., 1998 A new sampler for extracting undisturbed surface peat cores for growth pot experiment. The New Phytologist 140: 355-360.
55. Güsewell, S. , Buttler, A. & Klötzli, F., 1998 Short-term and long-term effects of mowing on the vegetation of two calcareous fens. J. Vegetation Science 9: 861-872.
56. Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph. & Matthey, Y., 1998 Development of Sphagnum fallax diaspores on bare peat with implications for the restoration of cut-over bogs. J. Applied Ecology 35: 800-810.
57. Toriola, D., Chareyre, P. & Buttler, A., 1998 Distribution of primary forest species in an 19 years old secondary forest in French Guiana. J. Tropical Ecology 14: 323-340.
58. Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y. & Buttler, A., 1997 Growth potential of three Sphagnum species in relation to water table level and peat properties with implications for their restoration in cut-over bogs. Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 471-483.
59. Werffeli, B., Roulier, C. & Buttler, A., 1997 The methodology of the integrated synusial phytosociology applied to a floodplain sector of the Sarine River (Switzerland). Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters 6: 237-245.
60. Buttler, A., Warner, B. G., Grosvernier, Ph. & Matthey, Y., 1996 Vertical patterns of testate amoebae (Protozoa:Rhizopoda) and peat-forming vegetation on cutover bogs in the Jura, Switzerland. The New Phytol. 134: 371-382.
61. Felbert-Girard, M., Felber, F. & Buttler, A., 1996 Habitat differentiation in a narrow hybrid zone between diploïd and tetraploïd Anthoxanthum alpinum (Poaceae). The New Phytologist 133: 531-540.
62. Mitchell, E., Buttler, A., Gobat, J.-M., van Leeuwen, J., van der Knaap, W., Ammann, B & Warner, B. 1996 Forest clearance in the early 19th century, an indirect cause for the present abundance of Pine (Pinus uncinata ssp rotundata) in the Jura bogs (summary), in Zoologia et Botanica 96. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, p. 788.
63. Buttler, A., Dinel, H. & Lévesque, P.M.E., 1994 Effects of physical, chemical and botanical characteristics of peat on carbon gas fluxes. Soil Science 158: 365-374.
64. Gillet, F., Theurillat, J.-P., Dutoit, A., Havlicek, E., Bueche, M. & Buttler, A., 1994 Végétation des lapiés du Muotatal; in: Compte rendu de la 2ème excursion internationale de phytosociologie en Suisse, 14-21 juillet 1991 (Ed. Gallandat, J.-D. & Landolt, E.). Veröff. Geobot. Inst. ETH, Stiftung Rübel, Zürich, 119: 60-100.
65. Buttler, A., 1992 Permanent plots in wet meadows and cutting experiment. Vegetatio 103: 113-124.
66. Buttler, A. J., Dinel, H., Lévesque, M. & Mathur S. P., 1991 The relation between movement of subsurface water and gaseous methane in a basin bog, with emphasis on instrumentation. Can. J. Soil Sci. 71: 427-438.
67. Buttler, A. & Gallandat, J.-D., 1989 Phytosociologie des prairies humides de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel (Suisse) et modèle de succession autogène. Phytocoenologia 18 (1): 129-158.
Publications in not cited peer reviewed journals :
1. Parisod, J., Hassouna, M., Buttler, A., Bragazza, L. Spatial and temporal characterization of dissolved organic matter in bog water based on spectroscopic properties : the effects of humification. Geophysical Research Abstracts 13
2. Jassey, V., Chiapusio, G., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. Toussaint, M.-L., Binet, Ph. Climatic effect on seasonal polyphenols/phenoloxidase interplay in Sphagnum fallax along a narrow ecological gradient. Geophysical Research Abstracts 13.
3. Ratsimbazafy, R.S.A., Dirac Ramohavelo, C., Sorg, J.-P., Buttler, A. 2010 Optimisation socio-économique et écologique des systèmes d’élevage (Menabe central, Madagascar). Sécheresse 21(3) : 211-218.
4. Martin, D., Vollenweider, P., Buttler, A., Günthardt-Goerg, M.S. (2006) Bioindication of heavy metal contamination in vegetable gardens. For. Snow Landsc. Res. 80, 2: 169–180.
5. Steiner, L., Rosselli, W., Combe, J., Barbezat, V., Buttler, A. 2006 Reboisement de sites pollués – Enseignements tirés d’une étude de cas avec des métaux lourds. Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 157 (5) : 157-161.
6. Vittoz, P., Buttler, A., Junod, P., 2005 Délimitation d’une réserve forestière : approche par l’étude de la végétation. Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 156 (3-4) : 112-121.
7. Vittoz, P., Guisan, A., Rebetez, M., Buttler, A. et Kloetzli, F., 2003 Vegetations-Dauerbeobachtungsflächen als Zeiger für Umweltveränderungen. Das Projekt PERMANENT.PLOT.CH bittet um Ihre Mithilfe. Vierteljahrsschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Zürich 148/3: 97–99.
8. Güsewell, S., Le Nedic, Ch. & Buttler, A., 2000 Dynamics of common reed (Phragmites australis Trin.) in Swiss fens with different management. Wetlands Ecology and Management 8: 375-389.
9. Buttler, A., 2000 L’innovation, son contenu et ses vecteurs dans le domaine de la gestion environnementale forestière. Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 151(12): 527-530.
10. Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y., Buttler A. & Gobat, J.M., 1999 Characterisation of peats from histosoils disturbed by different human impacts. Ecologie 30: 3-11.
11. Grosvernier, Ph., Buttler A., Gobat, J.-M. & Matthey, Y., 1997 Régénération ou réimplantation des sphaignes dans les haut-marais jurassiens suisses. Actes Soc. Jur. Emul.: 155-179.
12. Richard, J.-L., Bressoud, B., Buttler, A., Duckert, O. & Gallandat, J-D., 1993 Carte de la végétation de la région Val de Réchy-Sasseneire (objet CPN 3.77, Alpes valaisannes, Suisse). Bull. Murithienne 111: 9-40.
13. Buttler, A., 1992 Hydrochimie des nappes des prairies humides de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel. Bull. Ecol. 23 (1-2): 35-47.
14. Buttler, A. & Gobat, J.-M., 1991 Les sols hydromorphes des prairies humides de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel (Suisse). Bull. Ecol. 22 (3-4): 405-418.
15. Gobat, J.-M., Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y. & Buttler, A., 1991 Un triangle granulométrique pour les tourbes: analyse semi-automatique et représentation graphique. Science du sol 29 (1): 23-35.
16. Buttler, A., 1990 Quelques aspects climatiques dans les marais non boisés de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel (Suisse). Bull. Soc. Neuchâtel. Sci. Nat. 113: 217-230.
17. Buttler, A. & Girard, M., 1987 Methods for yearly comparisons of aeropalynological data. Advances in Aerobiology, Boehm G. et Leuschner R.M., (Eds), Experientia Suppl. 51: 407-409.
18. Buttler, A., 1985 Species and community responses to mowing in swamps; a contribution from marshes on the south bank of lake Neuchâtel (Switzerland). Studies in Plant Ecology (Uppsala) 16: 18-19.
19. Buttler, A., Bueche, M., Cornali, Ph. & Gobat, J.-M., 1985 Historischer und ökologischer Ueberblick über das Südostufer des Neuenburger Sees. Telma (Hannover) 15: 31-42.
20. Buttler, A., Cornali, Ph. & Richard, J.-L., 1983 La tourbière des Pontins sur Saint-Imier. Mat. pour le levé géobot. de la Suisse 59, 79 p.
Chapter in books:
1. Bragazza, L., Buttler, A., Siegenthaler, A., and Mitchell, E. 2009 Plant litter decomposition and nutrient release in peatlands. In: “Carbon cycling in Northern peatlands”, edited by: Baird A, Belyea L, Comas X, Reeve R, and Slater L. Geophysical Monograph 184 : 99-110.
2. Buttler, A., Kohler, F., Gillet, F. 2009. The Swiss mountain wooded pastures : patterns and processes. In : Agroforestry in Europe, Current Status and Future Prospects, Eds A. Rigueiro-Rodrigues et al. Springer Science, Advances in Agroforestry vol. 6, 450 p. ISBN 978-1402082719.
3. Kohler F., Gillet F., Progin M.A., Gobat J.-M. and Buttler A. 2005. Seasonal dynamics of plant species at fine scale in wooded pastures. In Modern Approach in Vegetation Monitoring (eds E. Feldmeyer-Christe, S. Ghosh, J. Podani, O. Wildi and N.E. Zimmermann). Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, HU. In press
4. Buttler A., Kohler F., Wagner H. and Gillet F. 2005. Spatial dependence and seasonal patterns of cattle activity. In Sylvopastoralism and Sustainable Land Management (eds M.R. Mosquera-Losada, J.McAdam and A. Riguerio). CABI Publishing, CAB International : 239-240.
5. Rebetez M., Reinhard M., Buttler A., 2004. Forests, Tree Physiology and Climate. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences, Academic Press, London, 1644-1655.
6. Hoosbeek, M. R., van Breemen, N., Wallen, B., Rydin, H., Lee, J. A., Silvola, J., Vasander, H., Berendse, F., Kuiper, P. J.C., van der Heijden, E., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph. & Miglietta, F., 1996 BERI: Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative - objectives, hypotheses and research methods. In: Northern Peatlands in Global Climatic Change (Edited by R. Laiho, J. Laine & H. Vasander), Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/96: 300-305.
7. Williams, B.L., Silcock, D.J., Francez, A.J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernnier, Ph., Vasander, H. & Jauhiainen, J., 1994 Transformations of inorganic nitrogen deposition in European raised bogs, in: Ecosystem Manipulation experiments (Eds Jenkins, A., Ferrier, R.C. & Kirby, C.), Ecosystems Research Report 20, pp 71-73. European Commission, Brussels.
8. Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y. & Buttler, A., 1994 Microclimate and physical properties of peat: new clues to the understanding of bog regeneration processes. In: Restoration of Temperate Wetlands (Edited by B. D. Wheeler, S. C. Shaw, W. S. Fojt and R. A. Robertson), John Wiley & Sons : 435-450.
Proceedings of international conferences:
1. Laggoun-Défarge, F., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Epron, D., Francez, A.-J., Grasset, L., Guimbaud, C., Mitchell, E. A.D., Roy, J.-C. 2008. Effects of experimental warming on carbon sink function of a temperate pristine mire : the Peatwarm project. In: After Wise Use – The Future of Peatlands, C. Farrell & J. Feehan Eds, Proceedings of the 13th International Peat Congress, Ireland, Tullamore, 8-13 June 2008, IPS (Finland), pp. 599-602.
2. Artz, R.R.E., C.D. Campbell, A. Buttler, A.-J. Francez, F. Laggoun-Defarge, H. Vasander, M. Schloter, D. Epron, D. Gilbert, E.A.D. Mitchell, G. Schwarz & S. J. Chapman. Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems. 1st Annual Meeting of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Bangor, Wales, UK, January, 5-7, 2006. Abstracts pp.27.
3. Buttler, A., Kohler, F., Wagner, H., Gillet, F. 2004: Spatial dependence and seasonal patterns of cattle activity. - In: Mosquera, M.R.; Mcadam, J.; Rigueiro-Rodriguez (eds). Silvopastoralism and sustainable management - International congress. Book of abstracts. 19-21 April 2004, Lugo, Spain. 123.
4. Kohler, F., Gillet, F., Gobat, J.-M. & Buttler, A. 2004. Vegetation changes in mountain pastures due to simulated effects of cattle activity. -In : Eco-complexity and dynamics of the cultural landscape, Verhandlung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie, Band 34, September 13-17 2004, Giessen, Germany. p. 216.
5. Dufour, A., Wagner, H., Guisan, A., Gadallah, F., Buttler, A. 2004. How does landscape structure influence plant diversity in wooded pastures? From square meter to hectare. -In : Eco-complexity and dynamics of the cultural landscape, Verhandlung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie, Band 34, September 13-17 2004, Giessen, Germany.
6. Siegenthaler, A., P. Steinmann, A-J. Francez, W. Rosselli, A. Buttler. Measuring and modelling of pore water gases in various regeneration stages of a Jura cutover bogs. 2nd Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Lausanne,. November, 19-20, 2004. Abstracts Vol. 2. pp. 296.
7. Mitchell, E.A.D.; Chapman, S.; Buttler, A.; Combe, J.; Francez, A.-J.; Gilbert, D.; Harms, H.; Lagoun-Defarge, F.; Schloter, M.; Vasander, H., Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems (EU Project RECIPE). The 7th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 25-30 July 2004.
8. Siegenthaler A., Steinmann Ph., Buttler A., Francez A.-J., Josselin N., Yli-petäys M., (2004). In-depth pore water gases and ions in various regeneration stages of selected temperate cutover bogs. In: Juhani Päivänen (Ed). Wise Use of Peatlands, Vol. 1 (proceeding). 12th International Peat Congress, Tampere, Finland.
9. Bortoluzzi, E., D. Epron, D. Gilbert & A. Buttler. Comparison of carbon fluxes between different stages of regeneration in a harvested bog in the French Jura mountains. Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress, Tampere, Finland, 6-11 June 2004. Volume 1, pp. 115-116.
10. Laggoun-Défarge, F., Mitchell, E.A.D., Gilbert, D., Warner, B.G., Comont, L., Disnar, J.-R., & Buttler, A. (2004) Biochemical characteristics of peat organic matter and distribution of testate amoebae in two naturally regenerating cutover Sphagnum peatlands of the Jura mountains. In: Juhani Päivänen (Ed). Wise Use of Peatlands, Vol. 1 (proceeding). 12th International Peat Congress, pp. 383-384, Tampere, Finland.
11. Buttler, A., Kohler, F., Wagner, H. & Gillet, F. 2004. Observed spatial and seasonal patterns of cattle activity versus simulated effects in an exclosure experiment. - In: Lüscher, A., Jeangros, B., Kessler, W., Huguenin, O., Losbiger, M., Millar, N., Suter, D. (eds). Land Use Systems in Grassland Dominated Regions. Proceedings of the 20th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation, Luzern, Switzerland, 21-24 June 2004. 578-580.
12. Kohler, F., Progin, M.-A., Gobat, J.-M., Buttler, A., Gillet, F. 2003 Seasonal fluctuations of species richness at fine scale in wooded pastures. - In: Biodiversity - from pattern to process, Verhandlung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie, Band 33, September 8-12, 2003. Halle, Deutschland. 87.
13. Kohler, F., Progin, M.-A., Gobat, J.-M., Buttler, A., Gillet, F. 2003 A cell-grid method for short-term and fine-scale monitoring of vegetation dynamics in pastures. - In: Feldmeyer-Christe, E. (ed.). State of the Art in Vegetation Monitoring Approaches. Abstracts. International Symposium, March 24-26, 2003. Birmensdorf, WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute. 25.
14. Maitre, C., D. Gilbert, A. Buttler, D. Epron, F. Laggoun-Defarge & D. Jacques-Jouvenot. Economic and sociological approaches of French peatlands. Proceedings of the 12th International Peat Congress, Tampere, Finland, 6-11 June 2004. Volume 2, pp. 1312.
15. Kloetzli, F. & Buttler, A. 2002 Ruptures actuelles dans les lacs périalpins, les forêts et les gazons alpins. Actes du colloque international de Besançon, septembre 2000 (eds. Richard, H. et Vignot, A.) « Equilibres et ruptures dans les écosystèmes durant les 20 derniers millénaires en Europe de l’Ouest. Presses Universitaires Franc-Comtoises: 361-372 ; Annales Littéraires, 730, série « Environnement, société et archéologie », 3.
16. Buttler, A., Mitchell, E.A.D., Freléchoux, F., van der Knaap, W. O., van Leeuwen, J. F. N., Warner, B. G., Gobat, J.-M., Schweingruber, F. & Ammann, B. 2002 Ruptures multiples dans les tourbières du Jura: changements climatiques et hydrologiques, successions végétales et impacts humains. Actes du colloque international de Besançon, septembre 2000 (eds. Richard, H. et Vignot, A.) « Equilibres et ruptures dans les écosystèmes durant les 20 derniers millénaires en Europe de l’Ouest. Presses Universitaires Franc-Comtoises: 331-344 ; Annales Littéraires, 730, série « Environnement, société et archéologie », 3.
17. Mitchell, E., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Albinsson, C., Rydin, H., Heijmans, M., Hoosbeek, M., Greenup, A., Foot, J., Saarinen, T., Vasander, H., Gobat, J.-M. 2000 Testate amoebae (Protozoa) and other micro-organisms in Sphagnum peatlands: biogeography, ecology and effect of elevated CO2. Proceedings of the 11th International Peat Congress, Québec 2000, IMCG, MTO, IPS, (L. Rochefort, Jean-Yves Daigle, editors): 1087.
18. Heijmans, M., Berendse, F., van Breemen, N., Rydin, H., Buttler, A., Hoosbeek, M., Lee, J., Mitchell, E., Saarnio, S., Vasander, H., Wallen, B. 2000 High N deposition affects competition between Sphagnum and other bog plant species. Proceedings of the 11th International Peat Congress, Québec 2000, IMCG, MTO, IPS, (L. Rochefort, Jean-Yves Daigle, editors): 1085.
19. Grosvernier, Ph., Buttler, A., Frankard, P. , Dupieux, N. 2000 Restoring or repairing damaged peatlands? The approach of western Europe, a densely populated area. Proceedings of the 11th International Peat Congress, Québec 2000, IMCG, MTO, IPS, (L. Rochefort, Jean-Yves Daigle, editors): 1070.
20. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A., Schweingruber, F., Gobat, J.-M. 2000 Spatio-temporal pattern of bog-pine (Pinus uncinata var. rotundata) along a hydrological gradient at the margin of a raised bog of the Jura mountains (Switzerland). Proceedings of the 11th International Peat Congress, Québec 2000, IMCG, MTO, IPS, (L. Rochefort, Jean-Yves Daigle, editors): 28.
21. Hoosbeek, M.R., N. van Breemen, B. Wallén, H. Rydin, J.A. Lee, J. Silvola, H. Vasander, F. Berendse, P.J.C. Kuiper, E. van der Heijden, A. Buttler, P. Grosvernier and F. Miglietta. 1996. BERI: Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative - objectives, hypotheses and methods to investigate the influence of elevated CO2 and Nitrogen on Sphagnum. Abstracts, Second International Symposium on the Biology of Sphagnum. Université Laval, Québec city, Canada, July 12-13, 1996.
22. Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J., 1996 The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Proceedings of the International Conference on Environment and Climate, Rome. March 1996.
23. Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Williams, B. L., Silcock, D.J., Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, A., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P. & Matthey, Y., 1996 Microbial activity in Sphagnum magellanicum peat: a comparison between 4 sites in Europe. Proceedings 10th International Peat Congress,Bremen, Germany, 1, 148.
24. Silcock, D. J., Williams, B. L., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph.,Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J., 1995 Influence of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Proceedings of the 5th Congress of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark.
25. Buttler, A., Mulhauser, G. & Vaucher-von Ballmoos, C. 1994 A classic bog - La Burtignière in the Vallée de Joux, in: Gruenig, A. (ed.). Mires and Man. Mire Conservation in a Densely Populated Country - the Swiss Experience. Excursion Guide and Symposium Proceedings of the 5th Field Symposium of the International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) to Switzerland 1992. Birmensdorf, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research: 187-194.
26. Buttler, A. & Mulhauser, G. 1994 The result of a century of hydrological control - the fenlands of La Grande Cariçaie, in: Gruenig, A. (ed.). Mires and Man. Mire Conservation in a Densely Populated Country - the Swiss Experience. Excursion Guide and Symposium Proceedings of the 5th Field Symposium of the International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) to Switzerland 1992. Birmensdorf, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research.:173-180.
27. Bueche, M., Buttler, A., Cornali, Ph. & Perrochet, P., 1994 Effects of water level regulation of lake Neuchâtel (Switzerland) on the shore wetlands: mathematical modelling of groundwater-lakewater interactions. Proceedings of the International Symposium "Conservation and Management of Fens", 6th-10th June 1994, Poland, International Peat Society - Agricultural University Warsaw, 201-212.
Proceedings of national conferences:
1. Mathur, S.P., Brown, A., Dinel, H., Buttler, A., & Lévesque, M., 1989 The role of methane gas in peatland hydrology: a new concept. Proceedings Symposium 89 "Peat and Peatland, Diversification and Innovation, Vol. I - Peatland Forestry, Québec City (6-10 August 1989). The Canadian Society for Peat and Peatlands (Eds. J.K. Jeglum & R. P. Overend): 153-157.
Publications for a broader audience :
1. Buttler et al. 2010 125 ans du WSL - Portraits de chercheurs. La Forêt 12/10 : 18-19.
2. Spiegelberger, T., Gavazov, K., Buttler, A. 2010. Réchauffement en montagne. Aus der Forschung. Geosciences.
3. Gavazov, K., Spiegelberger, T., Buttler, A. 2010. Research higlight : Mountland – successful experiment set up in the Jura Mountains. Competence Center Environment and Sustainability-CCES, Newsletter 15, July 1.
4. Buttler, A. & Mitchell, E. 2007 : Comment réagissent les tourbières aux changements planétaires ? Le réchauffement climatique, obstacle à la régénération. Hotspot 15 : 18-19.
5. Combe, J., Buttler, A. 2006 Le « WSL-new est arrivé. La Forêt 6 : 22-23.
6. Freléchoux, F., Vandenberghe, Ch., Buttler, A., Troxler, J., Jeangros, B., Wohlgemuth, Th., 2005 : Einfluss von Nutzvieh auf die Baumverjüngung auf Weiden. Wald & Holz: 37-39.
7. Freléchoux, F., Vandenberghe, Ch., Buttler, A., Troxler, J., Jeangros, B., Wohlgemuth, Th., 2005 Influence de l’activité du bétail sur la régénération des arbres en pâturage. La Forêt 58, 7/8.
8. Béguin, D., Freléchoux, F., Gillet, F. & Buttler, A. 2001 La régénération naturelle du pin à crochets en tourbière. La Forêt 10: 24-25.
9. Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A., Gillet, F. & Béguin, D. 2001 Le boisement des hauts-marais jurassiens. La Forêt 9: 22-24.
10. Buttler, A., Gillet, F. & Gobat, JM., 2001 Vegétation et flore in : Le Jura. Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé, Coll. Guide du naturaliste.
11. Buttler, A., 1997 La couverture végétale du Creux du Van. In : Nature au Creux du Van. Editions du Club Jurassien, Neuchâtel, 2 volumes (221 et 202 pages).
12. Jelmini, J.-P., Buttler, A. & Schwab, A., 1997 Promenades touristiques. Edition Ville de Neuchâtel, 144 p.
13. Buttler, A., Ayer, J., Claude, B., Monnier, M.-F.& Bongard, M., 1996 Coup d’oeil sur la nature en ville de Neuchâtel. Edition Ligue neuchâteloise pour la protection de la nature et Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Neuchâtel, 138 p. + annexe.
14. Buttler, A., 1995 La couverture végétale du Creux du Van. Panneau didactique. Edition Club jurassien, Neuchâtel.
15. Buttler, A. & Cornali, Ph., 1990 Le marais des Pontins, contraste entre tourbières intactes et exploitées, in: Les réserves naturelles du Jura bernois. Collection LSPN Réserves naturelles, 21-30.
16. Buttler, A., 1985 Les tourbières jurassiennes. Document de l'Office neuchâtelois de la documentation pédagogique, Neuchâtel: 21 pages et 87 diapositives.
17. Buttler, A., 1985 Le monde méconnu des tourbières: celle des Pontins. Le Rameau de Sapin (Edition Club jurassien, Neuchâtel) 4: 57-61.
18. Buttler, A., 1983 La rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel. Bull. Groupe Travail p. l'Enseignement de l'Ecologie - ECO-Informations 8: 1-16.
Other publications, reports and notes:
1. Enhancing the livelihood of the local population in a biodiversity hotspot (Central Menabe, Madagascar) : scientific bases for a participatory forest landscape management. Research Fellow Partnership Program (RFPP) North-South Center ETHZ, Final report, 15pp.
2. Gonseth, Y., Wohlgemuth, T., Sansonnens, B. & Buttler, A., 2001 Les régions biogéographiques de la Suisse – Explications et division standard. Cahier de l'environnement 137. Office fédéral de l’environnement, des forêts et du paysage, Berne. 48 p.
3. Hoosbeek, M., Van Breemen, N., Wallen, B., Rydin, H., Lee, J., Silvola, J., Vasander, H., Berendse, F., Kuiper, P., Grosvernier, P., Buttler, A. 1999 Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative (BERI). Final report to the EC on Project No. ENV4-CT95-0028.
4. Petts, G., Buttler, A. et al., 1999 ERMAS II: European river margins – Role of biodiversity in the functioning of riparian systems. Final Summary Report of the Individual Partners. Environment AND CLIMATE DGXII.
5. Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y.,Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J. 1995 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Final report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099 and supplementary project ERBCIPDCT 930029.
6. Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph.,Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J., 1995 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Second Year. Interim Report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099 and supplementary project ERBCIPDCT 930029.
7. Buttler, A., Cornali, P. & Bueche, M., 1995 Etude des effets de la régulation des lacs subjurassiens sur la végétation et le milieu. Rapport Université de Neuchâtel, sur mandat de l'Office fédéral de l’environnement, des forêts et du paysage (OFEFP), 154 p. + annexes.
8. Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J.,Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. J., Grosvernier, Ph.,Vasander, H. & Jauhiainen, J., 1994 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. First year interim report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099.
9. Buttler, A., 1987 Etude écosystémique des marais non boisés de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel (Suisse): phytosociologie, pédologie, hydrodynamique et hydrochimie, production végétale, cycles biogéochimiques et influence du fauchage sur la végétation. Thèse de doctorat, Université de Neuchâtel (Suisse), 284 p.
Lecture notes:
1. Buttler, A. 2004 Ecologie générale et biodiversité. Cours EPFL, section Sciences et Ingénierie de l’Environnement, SIE 1er. http://wslar.epfl.ch/perso/alex.html
2. Buttler, A. 2004 How to write a scientific paper. http://wslar.epfl.ch/perso/alex.html
3. Buttler, A., 2004 Comment rédiger un rapport ou une publication scientifique? vers. 2.1. Document UFR des Sciences et Techniques, UMR CNRS 6565, Université de Franche-Comté, 22 p. , http://corpus.univ-fcomte.fr/web/General/rapport.htm or http://wslar.epfl.ch/perso/alex.html .
4. Buttler, A., 1998 Méthodes d’étude de la végétation. Script de cours. Document UFR des Sciences et Techniques,UMR CNRS 6565, Université de Franche-Comté, 127 p.
5. Buttler, A. & Gillet, F., 1996 Méthodes d’étude de la végétation. Script de cours, Université de Neuchâtel, Institut de botanique, 228 pp.
6. Borcard, D. & Buttler, A. 1995 Ecologie numérique: exemples d’applications. Script de cours, Université de Neuchâtel, Instituts de biologie, 80 pp.
7. Borcard, D. & Buttler, A. 2000 Ecologie numérique. Script de cours, Université de Neuchâtel, Instituts de biologie, 244 pp.
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Projects
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Main ongoing research projects
- SUBFUNC (SNF)
- PEATWARM (French ANR)
- MOUNTLAND (CCES)
Project SUBFUNC: Effect of subordinate plant species on plant and soil community structure and ecosystem function
• Starting on January 2008
• Grant of the Swiss National Science Fundation (SNF)
• Principal applicant : Prof. A. Buttler, WSL Site Lausanne and EPFL-Lausanne
• Co-applicant : Dr. F. Gillet, Dr. E. Mitchell, Dr. P. Rossi, EPFL-Lausanne
• PhD student : N.N.
• Post-doc: N.N.
Background
Humans are altering the composition of biological communities through a variety of activities that increase rates of species invasions and/or species extinctions, at all scales, from local to global. These changes in components of biodiversity have a strong potential to alter ecosystem properties. In plant communities subordinate species (locally non-dominant species) that collectively compose the main part of the diversity, are generally at greater risk for extinction due their small population sizes. The role of subordinate plant species for the maintenance of ecosystem functions (e.g., production), for the resistance of plant communities against change in resource availability (e.g., drought, fertilization) and for the maintenance of the diversity of belowground organisms (e.g., protists, bacteria, fungi) and their function has recently received increasing attention, but remains poorly known.
Working Hypotheses
1. Subordinate plant species increase plant biomass production by improving the use of soil resources (species complementarity hypothesis).
2. Subordinate plant species modify the population structure and the relative contribution of dominant plant species by altering interactions between floristic components (changes in neighbourhood identity).
3. Subordinate plant species improve the plant community resistance to episodic drought (limitation of resources) by replacing sensitive dominant species (insurance hypothesis).
4. Through their effect on the producer trophic level, subordinate plant species influence the soil food web structure and function.
5. The response of belowground communities to changes in resource availability partly depends on the presence of subordinate species in the plant community (direct diversity effect).
6. Shifts in belowground communities caused by removal of subordinate plant species and/or of changes in resource availability result in changes in soil processes (decomposition, respiration).
Specific Aims
• To assess the role of subordinate plant species on the structure and functioning of the above- and below-ground components of a grassland ecosystem by using a removal experiment.
• To assess experimentally the influence of subordinate plant species on the response of above- and belowground components of the ecosystem to resource limitation (drought).
• To initiate a long-term experiment in the same site, with possible extension to other ecosystem processes (e.g., nutrient stress release by N or P addition, invasibility) and components (e.g., nematodes, earthworms, flagellates).
Experimental Design
A field experiment will be carried out on a species-rich grazed meadow of the Swiss Jura Mountains. In the selected site, 36 permanent plots of 4 m2 will be established using a randomized factorial design with a combination of two factors and six replicates. The effect of subordinate plant species (frequent but never dominant in the plant community) will be assessed through a three-level factor: (1) removal of subordinate plant species; (2) removal of similar biomass of dominant plant species; (3) control without removal. The effect of resource limitation will be assessed through a two-level factor: (1) drought; (2) control. Plant composition, functional traits and biomass will be monitored during the ongoing experiment. Belowground diversity will be identified by monitoring three groups with contrasted functional roles in the soil food web: bacteria, fungi and testate amoebae. Moreover, direct measurements of key soil processes (respiration, decomposition) will be done.
Expected Value of the Proposed Project
Understanding the impact of the present loss of biodiversity on ecosystem functions is a key challenge in ecology. If diversity per se can be shown to have a critical role on ecosystem functions, this can be, together with ethical and aesthetic reasons a crucial argument to increase present biodiversity conservation efforts. Moreover, understanding the link between above and belowground diversity is one of the main present challenges in ecology. While this research addresses primarily purely scientific questions, its broader impact on the management of biodiversity and natural plant communities could be significant.
Main achieved research projects
- COMIN
- CATTREE
- MODPOLLEN
- TRUFE
- MUSCAD
- RECIPE
- CATGRASS
- CEJ
- REGENE
- BOISEMENT
- AZOTE
- ERMAS
- BERI
Project COMIN: Resistance of plant communities to an invading species (Centaurea maculosa + Senecio inaequidens).
• Starting on June 15th
• Grant of the Swiss National Science Fundation (SNF)
• Principal applicant : Prof. A. Buttler, WSL Antenne romande and EPFL-Lausanne
• Co-applicant : Dr. F. Gillet, EPFL-Lausanne
• Collaboration : NCCR program “Plant Survival”, module « Evolution and spread of potential invasive plants »
• PhD student : Aurélie Thébault
• Field experiments: sowing, transplantation, small-scale disturbances and fertilisation in semi-natural plant communities inside and outside the native range of C. maculosa.
Most studies of ecological invasions have focused on the invasive species themselves and the characteristics that allow them to establish in new communities. However, communities are not all equally invasible and the mechanisms that allow a community to resist invasion are not well understood. Disturbance and stress affect invasibility, as well as propagule pressure, history of the community and community structure. Although some studies have linked community structure, disturbance and stress to invasibility, none or few of them have focused on small scale patterns of vegetation dynamics and species mobility within the community in relation to large herbivores activity. To become invasive, an exotic species has, after spreading (dispersal stage), to establish itself into a community, but also to be able to spread within the it and to outcompete the resident species, leading to a loss of diversity or a reduction of the value of the community (e.g. pastural value).
Furthermore, composition and functioning of soil microbial communities is closely linked those of the plant community. An exotic plant, by leading to shifts in plant community composition, can directly or indirectly disrupt these links (such as timing, quality, quantity and spatial structure of plant-derived soil inputs) and alter soil community composition. However, the existing studies on invasive plants have not addressed the combined effects of soil organisms and competition with native plants on the success of invasive plants. Furthermore, almost nothing is known on the effects of invasive plants on soil processes and different groups of soil microorganisms.
In this project the question is: (1) what are the characteristics of a plant community that impact the establishment success of an exotic species? (2) are these characteristics the same as those that allow non-exotic species to become dominant in the resident community?
Three complementary approaches will be applied to assess the invasibility of plant communities: (1) Comparative (e.g. regression-based) observational studies using data from the large field survey in both ranges. (2) Field experiments: sowing, transplantation, small-scale disturbances and fertilisation in semi-natural plant communities inside and outside the native range. (3) Hierarchic dynamic modelling to describe and predict the consequences of complex interactions between invasive populations, established plant functional groups at small scale and community dynamics at landscape scale.
The protocoles are : Comparison of native and non native genotypes’ germination success (establishment) and survival in natural communities ; effect of above and below ground competition on introduced species survival and growth ; grazing impacts on establishment and spread success : characteristics of resistance to invasion according to environmental constraints and vegetation structure ; effect of vegetation dynamics (temporal and spatial scales): disturbance timing on establishment and spread success, spatial aggregation/ segregation of resident species ; effect of soil biota on native and introduced species performances (abundance and community structure of fungi, bacteria, protozoa using a combination of molecular and microscopy methods, decomposition of OM using litterbags in-situ or soil respiration, and community level physiological profiles).
Project CATTREE: Influence of cattle activity on tree regeneration in wooded pastures
• Grant of MAVA Fundation and of WSL Program « Walddynamik »
• Principal applicant : A. Buttler, WSL Antenne romande, EPFL Lausanne and University of Franche-Comté
• Co-applicant : F. Freléchoux, WSL Antenne romande
• PhD student : Charlotte Vandenberghe
• Collaboration : Group for grassland and grazing systems of the Swiss federal research station of Changins, Nyon, University of Neuchâtel
In wooded pastures, the regeneration of trees is an important process for ecological equilibrium and long term development of these complex ecosystems. Vegetation composition, structure and productivity as well as its spatial pattern are key factors which determine the regeneration niches of trees. The occurrence of such niches is also directed by the cattle activity on the pastureland. In this project we want to focus on key factors influencing the early stage of tree development, by looking at onsite seed germination and sapling survival in relation to cattle activity.
The general working hypotheses are:
1. Both community and patch scales are relevant for the regeneration of trees in pasture woodlands.
2. Openings in the herbaceous layer, due to livestock trampling, grazing and browsing, contribute to competition release and are favourable to tree establishment.
3. In wooded pastures, species other than Norway spruce (in particular those from the adjacent forests), vary in their colonisation potential along a light and productivity gradient.
4. Norway spruce resists grazing, browsing and trampling better than silver fir, European beech and sycamore maple.
Specific aims:
1. To investigate the influence of artificial openings (gaps) in the herbaceous layer, simulating livestock impacts and herb competition release, on seed germination and seedling survival of the four main tree species. With an enclosure, the direct impact of livestock (grazing, trampling, scarring) at different pressure regimes will be determined.
2. To investigate the influence of artificial openings (gaps) in the herbaceous layer, simulating livestock impacts and herb competition release, on survival and growth of transplanted sapling of various heights and of the same four main species. With an enclosure, the direct impact of livestock (grazing, browsing, trampling, scarring) on the transplanted saplings will be recorded.
3. To investigate the influence of various ecological niches in wooded pastures on tree regeneration, including gradients of tree density, light density, vegetation composition and biomass.
Experimental design and methods:
The project will collect observational and experimental data in the field.
Expected value of the proposed project:
Better understanding of tree dynamics in wooded pastures of the Jura Mountains, and in particular of tree regeneration niches in relation to abiotic (e.g. litter, soil types, light) and biotic factors due to livestock (competition release, disturbances like openings in the herbaceous layer, trampling, grazing, and browsing). The results will provide sound data for dynamic modelling and ultimately tools for enabling a sustainable management of wooded pastures, including economic (e.g. forestry and agriculture) and ecological aspects (e.g. biodiversity and landscape maintenance).
Keywords:
Silvopastoral ecosystems, regeneration niche of trees, germination, seedling survival, trampling, grazing, browsing, biodiversity, field experiments.
Project MODPOLLEN: Modelling modern pollen assemblage, present vegetation and management relationships for the validation of pollen signatures in fossils records
• Grant CNRS-Région, University of Franche-Comté
• Leadership : A. Buttler, University of Franche-Comté and WSL Antenne romande ; D. Galop, University of Franche-Comté-CNRS
• PhD student : Florence Mazier
• Partnership with University of Neuchâtel , University of Bern and NCCR program “Plant Survival”, module " Pattern and long-term changes in pasture-woodlands: Complex plant-herbivore interactions in a traditional type of agro-forestry "
The analysis of gradual changes in land-use intensity of pasture woodlands over the last millennium requires a much more detailed interpretation of the composition of pollen sediments than the reconstruction of the large-scale vegetation history of the Holocene. This project will describe the major gradients in modern pollen deposits, relate these patterns to environmental and anthropogenic variables, and test whether different degrees of openness and grazing pressure produce statistically distinct modern pollen spectra. In a quasi-experimental design based on vegetation maps (Vittoz 1998) and current land-use, pollen species composition of moss samples will be related to vegetation relevés obtained at three different spatial scales. The correlative model linking modern pollen assemblage to present vegetation as a function of present land-use and landscape structure will be used to interpret fossil pollen data from the same study area. This will allow the reconstruction of land-use history by comparison with modern analogues. A parallel study in the Pyrenées will help assess the generality of the relationships between land-use intensity, vegetation, and pollen deposition.
Project TRUFE: Tree Regeneration and Understorey Feedback Effect in pasture woodland
• Grant WSL
• Leadership : A. Buttler, WSL Antenne romande and EPFL Lausanne, F. Gillet EPFL Lausanne
• PhD student : D. Béguin
• Collaboration : WSL Program « Walddynamik » and NCCR program “Plant Survival”, module " Pattern and long-term changes in pasture-woodlands: Complex plant-herbivore interactions in a traditional type of agro-forestry "
For wooded pastures to develop shifting mosaic dynamics, the interactions between trees and the vegetation of the herbaceous layer need to change with tree life stage (Olff et al. 1999). This study aims at identifying the main factors for tree regeneration at different spatial scales and assessing the nature and time-lag of feedback effects of established trees on the surrounding herbaceous vegetation. A correlative study will contrast current and abandoned pastures in two study regions of the Swiss Jura in order to test hypotheses on the facilitating function of the surrounding vegetation on tree regeneration at patch, community, and phytocoenose level. The feedback effects of larger trees on vegetation structure and composition as dependent on environmental conditions will be assessed using a quasi-experimental design. Dendro-ecology and morphological measurements will be used to determine the modification of tree growth curves by cattle grazing as compared to established growth curves in ungrazed forest stands. This project will quantify growth parameters and thresholds for life-stage dependent tree-vegetation interactions under cattle grazing in a heterogeneous environment. Beyond the direct contribution to the modelling in NCCR module "Statistical and dynamic modeling of plant survival in ecosystems", it will further the understanding of the conditions under which wooded pastures display shifting mosaic dynamics.
The hypotheses are:
1. Facilitation processes are scale dependant and differ at phytoceonose, community and patch levels
2. At phytoceonose level, the surrounding tree population structure determines the regeneration potential
3. At community level the vegetation with established young trees differs from that without young trees. The species assemblage determines the regeneration hability of young trees. Some groups of species will be favorable while other will not. The tree occurrence will be enhanced by a lower, delayed biomass production and by a loose canopy of the herbaceous layer.
4. At patch level, young trees will mostly be found in association with unpalatable species.
5. The microstructures (rocky outcrops, tree stumps), microtopography (convex/concave) determines the establishment and survival chances of young trees. They occur preferentially on old tree stumps, next to rocky outcrops and in convex microtopographical positions.
6. Facilitation plays a more important role for graze-intolerant tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba) than for more tolerant species (Picea abies).
Project MUSCAD: Multi-scale evaluation of plant biodiversity in pasture-woodland landscapes of the Jura mountains
• Grant CNRS-Région, University of Franche-Comté and WSL Antenne romande
• Leadership : A. Buttler, University of Franche-Comté and WSL Antenne romande ; H. Wagner, WSL, A. Guisan, University of Lausanne, Z. Gadallah, EPFL Lausanne, R. Caloz, EPFL Lausanne
• PhD student : Alexia Dufour
• Partnership with WSL Antenne romande, EPFL Lausanne, University of Lausanne and NCCR program “Plant Survival”, module " Pattern and long-term changes in pasture-woodlands: Complex plant-herbivore interactions in a traditional type of agro-forestry "
In a heterogeneous landscape, biodiversity is strongly scale-dependent and cannot be extrapolated using e.g. simple species-area relationships. In most biodiversity surveys and monitoring, however, plant biodiversity is assessed at only one scale, which can vary from one study to another. Therefore comparisons are difficult to make and this limits also the assessment of biodiversity and affects the quality of management decisions. We will address the question on how biodiversity evolves through a range of spatial scales, ranging from the fine scale, as assessed by means of vegetation relevés, to satellite imagery.
Project RECIPE: Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems
• European Commission FP5RTD
• Partnership : Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Aberdeen (coord.), University of Franche Comté, University of Orléans, University of Rennes, University of Helsinky, University of Nancy, Research Inst. for Environment & Health , Germany, Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology Lausanne EPFL, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Antenne romande, Consultant office LIN’eco)
• Leadership: A. Buttler (EPFL and Univ. Franche-Comté) and E. Mitchell, EPFL Lausanne
• PhD student : Andy Siegenthaler (EPFL) and Estelle Bortoluzzi (Univ. Franche-Comté)
• Master’s Thesis : Emanuella Samaritani (Univ. Geneva and Univ. Lausanne)
RECIPE is designed to provide information to assist conservationists and managers of peat extraction with options to restore peat accumulation and carbon (C) sequestration in peatland that has either been abandoned or designated for restoration. The objectives will identify combinations of water table,vegetation, microbiology and chemistry favorable to the reestablishment of peatland biodiversity and long term regeneration. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between the development of microbial diversity and the processes governing C cycling. By achieving these objectives in the context of current management practices, RECIPE will provide guidelines for sustainable management that will reconcile peat use with the maintenance of biodiversity. The technological output from the project will be transferred to end users in the form of workshops, published papers, web-based information and printed guidelines.
Objectives are :
1. Relate the biological and chemical processes associated with C turnover to the physical, nutrient and hydrological conditions in cut-over peatland.
2. Determine relationships between the microbial community structure in peat and the activity of microbial processes driving C loss.
3. Relate microbial community to effectiveness of plant establishment.
4. Determine impact of different plant species on C sequestration.
5. Develop indicators of change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of peat.
6. Develop guidelines for sustainable management of peatlands.
7. Quantify current and future requirements for sustainable peatland management in the EC, recognizing its value within the rural economy.
Experimental work will consist of microbiological, chemical and physical studies of cut-over (extracted or degraded) peatland that is being re-vegetated. This will consist of both a survey of existing areas and controlled experimental plots seeded with peat-forming vegetation. Rates of C sequestration by the vegetation will be determined and compared with C turnover in litter and the underlying peat. Both microbial communities and processes associated with C sequestration in
peat will be identified using innovative microbiological and molecular techniques. Optimal conditions for regeneration of peatland after extraction, viz., water table level, peat thickness and peat chemistry, will be established in consultation with peatland managers. The options available to them for managing peat extraction and restoration will be reviewed. The work is distributed between seven work packages. The first (WP 01) involves consultation with and feedback from both commercial and conservation bodies, i.e. the beneficiaries of the research, who will form an end users focus group. Sites that have been abandoned or recently used for peat extraction will be used for experimental studies involving re-vegetation and measures of photosynthesis and biomass accumulation (WP 02). The genetic biodiversity of the microbial ’loop’ (decomposer community) will be studied in these sites (WP 03) together with characterization of the functional diversity of the bacterial communities (WP 04). The relationships between these microbial communities and organic matter quality (peat chemistry) (WP 05) will be related to rates of C turnover (WP 06) and used to obtain potential indicators of change in peat. These findings will then be integrated and translated into management options, providing concrete guidelines for peatland use and restoration involving sustainable practices that have socio-economic benefits (WP 07).
Project CATGRASS : Influence of biotic factors in relation to cattle activity onto short-term dynamics of grasslands
• Grant of the Swiss National Science Fundation
• Principal applicant : A. Buttler, WSL Antenne romande and University of Franche-Comté
• Co-applicant : Dr. F. Gillet, University of Neuchâtel and WSL Antenne romande
• Collaboration : WSL Program « Walddynamik », University of Neuchâtel, NCCR program “Plant Survival”, module " Pattern and long-term changes in pasture-woodlands: Complex plant-herbivore interactions in a traditional type of agro-forestry "
• PhD student : F. Kohler
• Post-doc : F. Gillet (15%)
Wooded pastures in general and ‘pâturages boisés’ in the Jura Mountains in particular, show important ecological properties that make them unique ecosystems. Spatial patterning of the vegetation is one of their key properties and is strongly directed by human activities such as forest management and cattle grazing. These ecosystems are increasingly threatened by change in agricultural practices, paralleled by a growing public awareness of the traditional landscape. The real challenge will be to bridging various interests by defining optimised management strategies, which maintain biodiversity (conservationist view) as well as productivity (utilitarian view).
The general hypotheses are:
1 Processes of vegetation dynamics in the grassland communities vary along an ecological gradient of tree density.
2 Grazing, dunging and trampling have various effects on plant functional groups distinguished by their ecological, morphological and dispersability traits in space and time.
3 Gaps from mechanical trampling damages and former dung pats promote new species but these are specific to the disturbance and stress conditions.
4 Heterogeneity at both patch and community levels is higher under natural cattle activity (enclosure experiment), in comparison to heterogeneity under separate homogeneous treatments at the plot scale (exclosure experiment).
Specific aims:
1 To assess the successional processes involving herbaceous vegetation within wooded pastures in relation to cattle activity (grazing, dunging and trampling), environmental conditions and tree cover at three scales: (1) patch (within synusiae), (2) community (between synusiae) and (3) landscape (between phytocoenoses).
2 To explore the processes at various hierarchical levels of descriptors: individual species assemblage and plant functional groups.
3 To develop a spatially implicit dynamic model based on plant functional groups at the synusia level, parameterised from precise observations and field experiments, which could be integrated later as a submodel into a spatially explicit multi-scale and multi-agent model.
4 To evaluate the influence of grazing/ranging on the dynamics of grassland communities within silvopastoral ecosystems by running model scenarios.
Experimental Design and / or Methods:
The project will collect observational data (freely grazed area, enclosure experiments) and experimental data (controlled treatments aiming at initiating new vegetation dynamics in exclosure experiments) in various environmental conditions along a gradient of tree density (gradient of shade, microclimate and species pool: open pastureland, pasture woodland, grazed forest).
Expected Value of the Proposed Project:
The dynamic model will be used for better understanding and controlling the delicate management of wooded pastures (assistance tool). It is part of a broader modelling approach.
Keywords:
Silvopastoral ecosystems, vegetation dynamics, trampling, dunging, grazing, biodiversity, field experiments, plant functional groups, modelling.
Papers : see list above
Projet CEJ: Etude d'impact "Effets de la régulation des lacs subjurassiens sur la végétation et le milieu"
• Direction du projet : Jean-Michel Gobat, Université de Neuchâtel
• Chef de projet: A. Buttler
• Collaborateurs: P. Cornali, M. Bueche
• Mandat de l'Office fédéral de l’environnement, des forêts et du paysage (OFEFP) et des cantons de Soleure, Berne, Neuchâtel, Fribourg et Vaud, en collaboration avec l'Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL - IATE, Prof. A. Musy, Dr. P. Perrochet) et l'Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Zürich (EPFZ, Laboratoire des travaux hydrauliques, de l'hydrologie et de la glaciologie, Dr. A. Kühne)
Ce projet avait pour but de proposer, sur la base d’études altimétriques, géophysiques, hydrodynamiques et écologiques, une courbe de régulation idéale du lac pour la conservation à long terme des marais de la rive sud du lac de Neuchâtel (site Ramsar).
Buttler, A., Cornali, P. & Bueche, M., 1995 Etude des effets de la régulation des lacs subjurassiens sur la végétation et le milieu. Rapport Université de Neuchâtel, sur mandat de l'Office fédéral de l’environnement, des forêts et du paysage (OFEFP), 154 p. + annexes.
Bueche, M., Buttler, A., Cornali, Ph. & Perrochet, P., 1994 Effects of water level regulation of lake Neuchâtel (Switzerland) on the shore wetlands: mathematical modelling of groundwater-lakewater interactions. Proceedings of the International Symposium "Conservation and Management of Fens", 6th-10th June 1994, Poland, International Peat Society - Agricultural University Warsaw, 201-212.
(see also list of papers above)
Projet REGENE: Etude écologique de la régénération des hauts-marais du Jura suisse
• Requête FNRS no 3.167-0.88
• Requérant principal: Jean-Michel Gobat, Université de Neuchâtel
• Chef de projet: A. Buttler
• Doctorants: Y. Matthey et P. Grosvernier
• Laborantine: L. Paganuzzi
• Collaborations: Prof. R.S. Clymo (University of London), Dr. H. Dinel (Agriculture Canada)
Recherche de terrain sur le déterminisme de la régénération des sphaignes dans les milieux perturbés par l’exploitation de la tourbe: étude fine de la végétation et mise en relation avec les propriétés physico-chimiques des tourbes, l’hydrodynamique et le microclimat. Complément expérimental en serre.
Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y. & Buttler, A., 1994 Microclimate and physical properties of peat: new clues to the understanding of bog regeneration processes. In: Restoration of Temperate Wetlands (Edited by B. D. Wheeler, S. C. Shaw, W. S. Fojt and R. A. Robertson), John Wiley & Sons : 435-450.
(see also list of papers above)
Projet BOISEMENT: Etude écologique du boisement naturel en tourbière
• Requête FNRS no 31-34047.92
• Requérant principal: Jean-Michel Gobat, Université de Neuchâtel
• Chef de projet: A. Buttler
• Doctorant: F. Freléchoux
• Collaboration: Prof. F. Schweingruber (WSL), Prof. E. Ott (ETHZ) et Dr. F. Gillet (Université de Neuchâtel)
Recherche de terrain avec approche fine de la végétation par la méthode synusiale intégrée dans les pinèdes, pessières et bétulaies; études dendrométrique, dendrochronologique et dendroécologique sur des placettes homogènes et sur des transects. Le but de l'étude était de mieux comprendre le comportement présent et passé des arbres dans ces milieux, en relation avec la dynamique des tourbières et l'impact de l'homme.
Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. & Gillet, F., 2000 Dynamics of bog-pine-dominated mires in the Jura Mountains, Switzerland: a tentative scheme based on synusial phytosociology. Folia Geobotanica 35 : 273-288.
Freléchoux, F., Buttler, A. , Schweingruber, F. & Gobat, J.-M., 2000 Stands structure, invasion and growth dynamics of bog pine (Pinus uncinata var. rotundata) in relation to peat cutting and drainage in the Jura mountains, Switzerland. Can. J. Forest Res. 30(7) : 1114-1126.
(see also list of papers above)
Projet AZOTE: Influence des retombées d'azote atmosphérique sur le cycle du carbone en tourbière
• Projet européen du 3ème PCRTD
• Responsabilité administrative et scientifique pour la Suisse: A. Buttler, Université de Neuchâtel
• Partenaires scientifiques: bureaux Natura (Dr. Ph. Grosvernier) et Ecoconseil (Dr. Y. Matthey)
• Laborantine: L. Paganuzzi
• Financé par l'Office fédéral de l'éducation et de la science, ce projet s'est inscrit dans une collaboration européenne avec l'Ecosse (Dr. B. Williams, coordinateur, MLURI), la Finlande (Prof. H. Vasander, Univ. Helsinki) et la France (Dr. A. J. Francez, Univ. Rennes). D'autres partenaires ont été associés par la suite (Dr. M. Ilomets, Estonie, Prof. A. Kajak et Prof. J. Petal, Pologne).
Le projet traite d’une problématique en relation avec la pollution atmosphérique, l’effet de serre et les changements climatiques. Une première expérience a eu pour but de mesurer les conséquences de différents traitements de nitrate et d'ammonium sur la productivité des sphaignes et leur teneur en azote, ainsi que sur les propriétés des tourbes (taux de décomposition, teneurs en azote minéral et organique, marquage au 15N). Une deuxième expérience a eu pour but de mettre en évidence les relations compétitives entre sphaignes, polytrics et Graminées, selon les doses d'azote.
Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J.,Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. J., Grosvernier, Ph.,Vasander, H. & Jauhiainen, J., 1994 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. First year interim report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099.
Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph.,Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J., 1995 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Second Year. Interim Report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099 and supplementary project ERBCIPDCT 930029.
Williams, B. L., Silcock, D. J., Francez, A-J., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph., Matthey, Y.,Vasander, H., Jauhiainen, J., Ilomets, M., Kajak, A. & Petal, J. 1995 Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems. Final report to the EC on Project No. EV5V-CT92-0099 and supplementary project ERBCIPDCT 930029.
(see also list of papers above)
Projet ERMAS: European River Margins Systems - ERMASII
• Projet européen du 4ème PCRTD.
• Responsabilité administrative et scientifique pour la Suisse: A. Buttler, Université de Neuchâtel
• Contractant associé : Dr. C. Guenat, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne.
• Chercheurs scientifiques: Dr. F. Bureau, R. Douard, L. Bonnard (diplômante), S. Boegli (diplômante)
• Financé par l'Office fédéral de l'éducation et de la science, ce projet s'est inscrit dans une collaboration européenne avec la Grande Bretagne (Prof. G. Petts, coordinateur, Univ. Birmingham, Dr. V. Black, Dr. C. Pinder), la France (Prof. H. Décamps, Dr. G. Pinay, Dr. E. Chauvet et Dr. E. Tabacchi, CNRS Toulouse), la Suède (Prof. C. Nilsson, Univ. Umea, Dr. L Vought, Univ. Lund), l’Italie (Dr. B. Maiolini) et la Roumanie (Prof. Vadineanu).
Le projet s’intègre dans la problématique de la relation entre la biodiversité et le degré de perturbation par l’eau dans les systèmes alluviaux. L’objectif du projet a été d’étudier la diversité de la végétation et de l’entomofaune, ainsi que certains processus édaphiques (cycle de l’azote, décomposition des litières, activité biologique des sols), selon un gradient de texture pédologique et selon des conditions d’inondations variées.
Petts, G., Buttler, A. et al., 1999 ERMAS II: European river margins – Role of biodiversity in the functioning of riparian systems. Final Summary Report of the Individual Partners. Environment AND CLIMATE DGXII.
(see also list of papers above)
Projet BERI: Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative - BERI
• Projet européen du 4ème PCRTD
• Responsabilité administrative et scientifique pour la Suisse: A. Buttler, Université de Neuchâtel, en collaboration avec le bureau NATURA (Dr. P. Grosvernier)
• Collaborateurs scientifiques: E. Mitchell (doctorant), A. Siegenthaler (diplômant)
• Financé par l'Office fédéral de l'éducation et de la science (OFES), ce projet s'est inscrit dans une collaboration européenne avec la Hollande (Prof. N. van Breemen, coordinateur, Univ. Wageningen, Prof. F. Berendse, Prof. P. Kuiper), la Suède (Dr. H. Rydin, Univ. Uppsala, Dr. B. Wallen, Univ. Lund), la Grande Bretagne (Prof. J. Lee, Univ. Sheffield) et la Finlande (Prof. H. Vasander et Dr. J. Silvola, Univ. Helsinki).
L’expérience de terrain s’est faite avec le système Miniface (Free Air Carbon dioxyde Enrichment) et a intégré aussi des traitements d’enrichissement en azote. Elle a permis un suivi quantitatif du recouvrement de la végétation, ainsi que des mesures de productivité, particulièrement dans le but d’enregistrer les changements du rapport compétitif entre sphaignes, autres mousses et phanérogames. La qualité chimique des plantes et certains processus pédologiques (production de méthane, hydrochimie et hydrodynamique, marquages au 14C et 15N) ont également été étudiés dans le but d’une modélisation du fonctionnement du cycle du carbone (problématique en relation avec la pollution atmosphérique, l’effet de serre et les changements climatiques). La bioindication par les rhizopodes a également été testées.
Hoosbeek, M. R., van Breemen, N., Wallen, B., Rydin, H., Lee, J. A., Silvola, J., Vasander, H., Berendse, F., Kuiper, P. J.C., van der Heijden, E., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, Ph. & Miglietta, F., 1996 BERI: Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative - objectives, hypotheses and research methods. In: Northern Peatlands in Global Climatic Change (Edited by R. Laiho, J. Laine & H. Vasander), Publications of the Academy of Finland 1/96: 300-305.
Hoosbeek, M., Van Breemen, N., Wallen, B., Rydin, H., Lee, J., Silvola, J., Vasander, H., Berendse, F., Kuiper, P., Grosvernier, P., Buttler, A. 1999 Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative (BERI). Final report to the EC on Project No. ENV4-CT95-0028.
(see also list of papers above)
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BIOGRAPHY
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I am a joint-professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - EPFL (Head of the laboratory of Ecological Systems – ECOS) and at the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL for Forest, Snow and Landscape (Head of the research group Pasture Woodlands and Wetlands), and former professor at the laboratory of Chrono-Ecology (UMR 6565 CNRS) of the University of Franche-Comté, Besançon (France). I am author or co-author of over 60 papers in international ISI cited peer-reviewed journals.
I have obtained my PhD in 1987 working on the ecology of wetlands of the South shore of Lake Neuchâtel and thereafter I led an important environmental impact study for the Swiss government body of Environment (OFEV-BAFU): "Effect on vegetation and on the environment of regulating the level of the sub-Jura lakes". Following two postdoctoral fellowships at the Queen Mary College of the University of London (Prof. R.S. Clymo) and at the Land Resource Centre of Agriculture Canada, Ottawa (Dr. M. Lévesque and Dr. H. Dinel), I led two successive Swiss National Science Foundation projects on peatland ecology. Later I led the Swiss participation in four European EC RTD projects (projects "Impact of nitrogen deposition on the carbon balance in peatland ecosystems EV5V-CT02-0099", "European River Margins Systems - ERMASII, ENV4-CT95-0061", "Bog Ecosystem Research Initiative - BERI", ENV4-CT95-0028), and "Reconciling commercial exploitation of peat with biodiversity in peatland ecosystems - RECIPE " EVK2-CT-2002-00269). Several other projects concern sylvopastoral ecosystems, supported either by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), Universities or other research institution grants (WSL, CNRS) or private foundations. I was also involved in topics in relation to the biodiversity issue, which is the evolution and spread of potential invasive plants (SNF NCCR « Plant Survival »). Presently major projects in which I am involved are a French ANR (Peatwarm - OTC warming in peatlands), CCES project of the ETH-Domain (Mountland - transplantation of pasture woodlands soil cores along an altitudinal gradient), and a SNF project (Subfunc - role of subordinate plant species in pastures).
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Wetland ecology
Pasture woodland ecology
Invasion ecology
Restoration and disturbance ecology
Quantitative ecology
Vegetation succession
Ecological diversity
Biogeochemical cycles (carbon and nitrogen)
Influence of CO2 and N enrichement on bog ecosystems
Moss ecology |
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| Teaching |
Environmental Sciences and Engineering
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| Phd programs |
- Environment
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
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| Phd Students |
Gavazov Konstantin
Mariotte Pierre Rémi
Parisod Julien
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Adjunct Professor