Xingzhao Sun

My study mainly focuses on the impact of mammalian herbivores on plant-soil-microbe interactions in terrestrial ecosystems, specifically the nutrient content and microbial communities in the dung of dominant herbivore species in a European coastal dune ecosystem. Additionally, through plant growth and competition experiments, exploring the role of the microbiome in herbivore dung plays in plant growth, especially for legumes and their nitrogen-fixing capabilities. I also study how different types of herbivore dung and grazing strategies significantly influence the development of plant communities, hoping to provide valuable insights for ecosystem management and restoration efforts.

Selected publications:

• Sun, X., Sitters, J., Ruytinx, J.,Wassen, M. J., & Olde Venterink, H. (2024). Microbial community composition in the dung of five sympatric European herbivore species. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e11071