The build-up of nitrogen in the environment is one of the main threats to global biodiversity, however, we rarely hear about it. In this talk, Prof Carly Stevens will explain the role of Nitrogen in our ecosystems, how and why human activity is causing problems – using atmospheric Nitrogen as a case study – and what we can do to reduce and perhaps reverse these effects.

About the speaker

Carly Stevens is Professor in Plant Ecology and Soil Biogeochemistry at Lancaster University. A plant ecologist and soil biogeochemist, Carly’s research explores how global change is impacting on our environment. In particular, she is interested in how atmospheric nitrogen deposition is impacting on ecosystems and how they function. In addition, Carly teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, is director of the university postgraduate research programmes, the Waitrose Collaborative Training Partnership, and associate editor for several journals. Carly also leads a large open online course on soil and an outreach programme called Science Hunters, which uses computer games to teach ecology.