I have a deep fascination with and interest for atoll ecosystems. In my systems approach to atoll research, I combine a wide range of field-based, molecular, and macro-ecological tools to unravel fundamental environmental processes on atolls and identify pathways towards place-based conservation and ecological restoration of atolls in the Anthropocene.
Keywords
atoll ecology, biosphere-geosphere interactions, ecosystem science, ecological restoration, island biology
Researchinterest
Atolls are large biogenic structures of our tropical oceans. They are hotspots for seabirds and important refugia for the Indo-Pacific lowland floras and faunas. The biodiversity of atolls exists within and has adapted to their unique geodynamic nature. I am broadly interested how geosphere-biosphere interactions shape the functioning of and interactions within atoll ecosystems.
Currenttopics
Atolls are uniquely dynamic geo-ecosystems. While often reduced to their perceived smallness in land area, the distinct biogeographic and ecological processes on atolls can shed light on fundamental rules of biodiversity assembly and evolution. In my current project at Naturalis, I study the biogeography and evolution on atolls through the lens of geosphere dynamics.
Keypublications
- Steibl S., Bunbury N., Young H.S., Russell J.C. 2024. A rennaissance of atoll ecology. Annual Reviews of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 55: 301-322.
- Steibl S., Steiger S., Wegmann A.S., Holmes N.D., Young H.S., Carr P., Russell J.C. 2024. Atolls are globally important sites for tropical seabirds. Nature Ecology & Evolution 8: 1907-1915.
- Steibl S., Kench P.S., Young H.S., Wegmann A.S., Holmes N.D., Bunbury N., Teavai-Murphy T.H., Davies N., Murphy F., Russell J.C. 2024. Rethinking atoll futures: local resilience to global challenges. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 39: 258-266.