Dr. ir. M.M. (Mariet) Hefting

Hugo R. Kruytgebouw
Padualaan 8
Kamer N306
3584 CH Utrecht

Dr. ir. M.M. (Mariet) Hefting

Researcher
Ecology and Biodiversity
+31 30 253 7441
m.m.hefting@uu.nl
 

 My research interest focuses on the interactions between plants and soil in the context of cycles of carbon and nitrogen and the response of soil ecosystems to multiple global change drivers. I want to 1) understand the role of living and dead plants with their functional traits on nutrient and carbon cycling processes (studying decomposition, soil respiration, nitrification and denitrification) and 2) understand the interactive effects of nitrogen enrichment and climate change on soil organic matter dynamics and emissions of greenhouse gases. Most of my research experience is based on riparian zone and riverine ecosystems, concentrating on hot-spot areas with intense nitrogen cycling and N2O emissions. As nitrogen transformation processes and organic matter sequestration are strongly driven by carbon quality and availability, this is the focal topic in my current research projects.