Juan Almeida

I have experience in the fields of plant and fungal physiology, plant-soil-microbial interactions, soil ecology, biogeochemical cycles and nutrient limitation in forested and agricultural ecosystems.  In agricultural systems I have studied the capability of perennial and mixed crops to desorb phosphorus tingly bound on mineral surfaces.

Currently, I am working on a project aiming to understand the effect of the perennial intermediate wheatgrass (Kernza®) on soil fertility and microbial activity. Our objective is to elucidate the soil ecosystem services of sustainable agricultural practices and cropping systems diversification

• B.A, Biological Sciences. Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito,  Ecuador, 2011
• Thesis: Colonization mechanisms in Lasiocephalus ovatus Schltdl. (Asteraceae) in the Antisana Superpáramo. Phenotipic Plasticity, Genetic structure and interspecific interactions. 
• M.Sc. (June 2014). Biology. Specialization in Molecular Ecology. Lund University.
• Thesis: Global analysis of the fungal communities in the introduced pine species Pinus contorta.
• PhD. (February 2019). Biology. Specialization in Microbial Ecology. Lund University.
• Thesis: Biomass, community structure and phosphorus uptake of ectomycorrhizal fungi in response to phosphorus limitation and nitrogen deposition.
• Post-doc researcher in the Microbial Ecology group at the Biology Department. Lund University. July 2019 – November 2021.

Almeida, J. P., Rosenstock, N. P., Woche, S. K., Guggenberger, G., & Wallander, H. (2022). Nitrophobic ectomycorrhizal fungi are associated with enhanced hydrophobicity of soil organic matter in a Norway spruce forest. Biogeosciences, 19(15), 3713-3726.

Almeida, J. P., Rosenstock, N. P., Forsmark, B., Bergh, J., & Wallander, H. (2019). Ectomycorrhizal community composition and function in a spruce forest transitioning between nitrogen and phosphorus limitation. Fungal ecology, 40, 20-31.

Almeida, J.P., Montufar, R. & Anthelme, F. 2013. Patterns and origin of intraspecific functional variability in a tropical alpine species along an altitudinal gradient. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 6: 423-433.