John Finn
@johnfinn310.bsky.social
Ecologist, biodiversity and ecosystem function in agricultural grasslands and High Nature Value farming systems. Ireland☘️. Art & sports. Kerryman.
Pinned
Effects of experimental drought and plant diversity on multifunctionality of a model system for crop rotation - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Effects of experimental drought and plant diversity on multifunctionality of a model system for crop rotation
www.nature.com
🚨 Plant diversity in 6-species #multispecies mixtures generally increased multifunctionality (MF) (measured as 6 ecosystem functions related to agronomy). We also looked at effect of drought on MF.
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by John Finn
📢 Join our team: Are you interested in the synthesis of ecological data?
We are offering a postdoctoral researcher position on the effects of collaborative agri-environment measures on multiple taxa and ecosystem services.
See #job advert
www.uni-goettingen.de/en/vacancy+f...
We are offering a postdoctoral researcher position on the effects of collaborative agri-environment measures on multiple taxa and ecosystem services.
See #job advert
www.uni-goettingen.de/en/vacancy+f...
February 9, 2026 at 7:41 AM
📢 Join our team: Are you interested in the synthesis of ecological data?
We are offering a postdoctoral researcher position on the effects of collaborative agri-environment measures on multiple taxa and ecosystem services.
See #job advert
www.uni-goettingen.de/en/vacancy+f...
We are offering a postdoctoral researcher position on the effects of collaborative agri-environment measures on multiple taxa and ecosystem services.
See #job advert
www.uni-goettingen.de/en/vacancy+f...
Reposted by John Finn
Interested in a cross-analysis of how Romanian and French farmers are adapting to climate change? Watch Agroecology-TRANSECT webinar to find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu4m...
🌱 Necula et al 2024 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🐮 Allart et al 2024 👉 doi.org/10.1017/S174...
#agroecology
🌱 Necula et al 2024 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🐮 Allart et al 2024 👉 doi.org/10.1017/S174...
#agroecology
February 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Interested in a cross-analysis of how Romanian and French farmers are adapting to climate change? Watch Agroecology-TRANSECT webinar to find out more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu4m...
🌱 Necula et al 2024 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🐮 Allart et al 2024 👉 doi.org/10.1017/S174...
#agroecology
🌱 Necula et al 2024 👉 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
🐮 Allart et al 2024 👉 doi.org/10.1017/S174...
#agroecology
📢Special bonus, check out the *amazing* interactive visualisation by @rishvish07 where you can manipulate i) relative importance of the functions, and ii) relative proportions of the species and functional groups, and see effects on the functions, and trangressive overyielding
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
📢Special bonus, check out the *amazing* interactive visualisation by @rishvish07 where you can manipulate i) relative importance of the functions, and ii) relative proportions of the species and functional groups, and see effects on the functions, and trangressive overyielding
A wide range of higher-diversity, lower-nitrogen (150N) mixtures typically had higher multifunctionality than a low-diversity, higher-nitrogen (300N) grass monoculture. (Fig. 1).
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
A wide range of higher-diversity, lower-nitrogen (150N) mixtures typically had higher multifunctionality than a low-diversity, higher-nitrogen (300N) grass monoculture. (Fig. 1).
Drought reduced multifunctionality, but not as much as changes in diversity. For productive forage grassland plots with lower diversity, increasing diversity enhanced multifunctionality -> drought adaptation option.
Rainfed control, top panel; drought treatment, bottom.
Rainfed control, top panel; drought treatment, bottom.
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Drought reduced multifunctionality, but not as much as changes in diversity. For productive forage grassland plots with lower diversity, increasing diversity enhanced multifunctionality -> drought adaptation option.
Rainfed control, top panel; drought treatment, bottom.
Rainfed control, top panel; drought treatment, bottom.
Plant diversity in mixtures increased mean levels of multifunctionality (MF, x-axis) *and* reduced variation in MF (y-axis), leading to higher multifunctional stability (which is highest in the lower right quadrant in the figure)
nature.com/articles/s4159…
nature.com/articles/s4159…
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Plant diversity in mixtures increased mean levels of multifunctionality (MF, x-axis) *and* reduced variation in MF (y-axis), leading to higher multifunctional stability (which is highest in the lower right quadrant in the figure)
nature.com/articles/s4159…
nature.com/articles/s4159…
Multifunctionality across a range of mixture diversity exceeded that of the best monoculture, under both rainfed and drought conditions (transgressive overperformance). (See Fig. 4)
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Multifunctionality across a range of mixture diversity exceeded that of the best monoculture, under both rainfed and drought conditions (transgressive overperformance). (See Fig. 4)
No single community was best across each of the six individual functions; there was no ‘super-species’ that was best at everything. Thus, there are trade-offs among communities when comparing across single functions. (drought only shown here)
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
No single community was best across each of the six individual functions; there was no ‘super-species’ that was best at everything. Thus, there are trade-offs among communities when comparing across single functions. (drought only shown here)
🚨 Plant diversity in 6-species #multispecies mixtures generally increased multifunctionality (MF) (measured as 6 ecosystem functions related to agronomy). We also looked at effect of drought on MF.
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Effects of experimental drought and plant diversity on multifunctionality of a model system for crop rotation - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Effects of experimental drought and plant diversity on multifunctionality of a model system for crop rotation
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:41 PM
🚨 Plant diversity in 6-species #multispecies mixtures generally increased multifunctionality (MF) (measured as 6 ecosystem functions related to agronomy). We also looked at effect of drought on MF.
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
short🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
It’s more complex to choose best mixture(s) for multiple responses (yield, forage quality, weed suppression, nutrient use etc.). If same species’ mixtures are the best at everything, then it’s easy (but this is unusual!). If not, one needs to manage the trade-offs.
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
It’s more complex to choose best mixture(s) for multiple responses (yield, forage quality, weed suppression, nutrient use etc.). If same species’ mixtures are the best at everything, then it’s easy (but this is unusual!). If not, one needs to manage the trade-offs.
3: choose (or breed) species that are able to persist in mixtures at reasonable proportions (or have adaptive strategies to achieve this). No matter how high-performing and synergistically interactive a species is, it will not contribute much with a relative abundance of 2%.
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
3: choose (or breed) species that are able to persist in mixtures at reasonable proportions (or have adaptive strategies to achieve this). No matter how high-performing and synergistically interactive a species is, it will not contribute much with a relative abundance of 2%.
'more species is better' is not necessarily correct to maximise a response. Species' identity, richness and relative abundance ALL affect the response. Even at richness = 6 in our example (see scatterplot), these diversity aspects completely determine which community is best.
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
'more species is better' is not necessarily correct to maximise a response. Species' identity, richness and relative abundance ALL affect the response. Even at richness = 6 in our example (see scatterplot), these diversity aspects completely determine which community is best.
2: choose species' with traits that maximise synergistic interactions. Positive mixing effects will push the mixture responses higher up the x-axis. When interactions are ++ positive, at least some mixtures can out-perform the best monoculture (or other reference point).
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
2: choose species' with traits that maximise synergistic interactions. Positive mixing effects will push the mixture responses higher up the x-axis. When interactions are ++ positive, at least some mixtures can out-perform the best monoculture (or other reference point).
1: choose the best-performing agronomic species (for the response of interest) based on their performance in monoculture = higher starting point on the x-axis. This ensures high performance with fewer species.
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 PM
1: choose the best-performing agronomic species (for the response of interest) based on their performance in monoculture = higher starting point on the x-axis. This ensures high performance with fewer species.
ICYMI
2024 publication
How can we ‘best’ design multi-species grassland mixtures?
How can we better predict the effect of diversity on mixture performance?
Demonstration of principles and practical examples from Mini Review in J of Ecology
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
2024 publication
How can we ‘best’ design multi-species grassland mixtures?
How can we better predict the effect of diversity on mixture performance?
Demonstration of principles and practical examples from Mini Review in J of Ecology
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Design principles for multi‐species productive grasslands: Quantifying effects of diversity beyond richness
We describe approaches that separate plant diversity into its underlying components: species richness, composition and relative abundance. Disentangling these three components facilitates a more nuan....
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:24 PM
ICYMI
2024 publication
How can we ‘best’ design multi-species grassland mixtures?
How can we better predict the effect of diversity on mixture performance?
Demonstration of principles and practical examples from Mini Review in J of Ecology
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
2024 publication
How can we ‘best’ design multi-species grassland mixtures?
How can we better predict the effect of diversity on mixture performance?
Demonstration of principles and practical examples from Mini Review in J of Ecology
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by John Finn
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs discovered near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
Record numbers of eggs of the rare brown hairstreak butterfly have been found in south-west Wales after landowners stopped flailing hedges every year.
The butterfly lays its eggs on blackthorn every summer. But when land managers and farmers mechanically cut hedges every autumn, thousands of the eggs are unknowingly destroyed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Reposted by John Finn
📌 Carbon has a common unit, biodiversity doesn’t; and that makes progress harder to compare.
The upcoming IPBES #BizBiodiversity Assessment arrives at exactly the right moment for clearer methods and signals.
The upcoming IPBES #BizBiodiversity Assessment arrives at exactly the right moment for clearer methods and signals.
January 30, 2026 at 12:30 PM
📌 Carbon has a common unit, biodiversity doesn’t; and that makes progress harder to compare.
The upcoming IPBES #BizBiodiversity Assessment arrives at exactly the right moment for clearer methods and signals.
The upcoming IPBES #BizBiodiversity Assessment arrives at exactly the right moment for clearer methods and signals.
Reposted by John Finn
Months of work finally unveiled as a major investigation I worked on with the @independent.ie launches.
Every council in Ireland was asked to write a Climate Action Plan identifying local risks and what they plan to do to reduce emissions causing those risks.
We read them all...
bit.ly/3Mf9h8x
Every council in Ireland was asked to write a Climate Action Plan identifying local risks and what they plan to do to reduce emissions causing those risks.
We read them all...
bit.ly/3Mf9h8x
How your county is weighing in on fighting climate change
.
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Months of work finally unveiled as a major investigation I worked on with the @independent.ie launches.
Every council in Ireland was asked to write a Climate Action Plan identifying local risks and what they plan to do to reduce emissions causing those risks.
We read them all...
bit.ly/3Mf9h8x
Every council in Ireland was asked to write a Climate Action Plan identifying local risks and what they plan to do to reduce emissions causing those risks.
We read them all...
bit.ly/3Mf9h8x
Reposted by John Finn
As a climate scientist I am quite sure I could use this reply at least two dozen times per week.
January 28, 2026 at 6:15 PM
As a climate scientist I am quite sure I could use this reply at least two dozen times per week.
Reposted by John Finn
Last week a UK national security assessment warned that collapsing ecosystems around the world will trigger conflict and food shortages
Deforestation is accelerating drying in the Amazon, with up to 72% of reduced rainfall in the southern region directly linked to forest loss, raising concerns about earlier-than-expected ecosystem tipping points. doi.org/qpj4
Deforestation is drying out the Amazon rainforest faster than previously thought
Deforestation is having a more devastating effect on the Amazon rainforest than earlier data suggested. While cutting down large swaths of trees destroys vital habitats, it also harms the region's ability to generate its own rainfall.
phys.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Last week a UK national security assessment warned that collapsing ecosystems around the world will trigger conflict and food shortages
After being online for about 5 weeks, over 8,500 downloads already!
Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#legacynet
Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#legacynet
Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient
High-yielding forage grasslands frequently contain low species diversity and receive high inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. To investigate multispecies mixtures as an alternative strategy, the 26-site in...
www.science.org
January 24, 2026 at 4:01 PM
After being online for about 5 weeks, over 8,500 downloads already!
Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#legacynet
Multispecies grasslands produce more yield from lower nitrogen inputs across a climatic gradient | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#legacynet
Reposted by John Finn
Not a single day in 2025 was cooler than the 1991-2020 average, on a global scale. @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Not a single day in 2025 was cooler than the 1991-2020 average, on a global scale. @copernicusecmwf.bsky.social
Reposted by John Finn
Calling on all forest disturbance experts: Please consider contributing to our study on global forest disturbance change, and help resolve the nuances of changing forest disturbance regimes. More details and survey here: www.lss.ls.tum.de/edfm/disturb...
December 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Calling on all forest disturbance experts: Please consider contributing to our study on global forest disturbance change, and help resolve the nuances of changing forest disturbance regimes. More details and survey here: www.lss.ls.tum.de/edfm/disturb...
Reposted by John Finn
👋 Agroecology-TRANSECT YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@agroecology... provides material to learn on the agronomic, social and political dimensions of #agroecology
Next webinar (Jan.22) is on #intercropping and sustainable #pest management
To register 👉 www.agroecology-transect.net/events/boost...
Next webinar (Jan.22) is on #intercropping and sustainable #pest management
To register 👉 www.agroecology-transect.net/events/boost...
January 8, 2026 at 11:37 AM
👋 Agroecology-TRANSECT YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@agroecology... provides material to learn on the agronomic, social and political dimensions of #agroecology
Next webinar (Jan.22) is on #intercropping and sustainable #pest management
To register 👉 www.agroecology-transect.net/events/boost...
Next webinar (Jan.22) is on #intercropping and sustainable #pest management
To register 👉 www.agroecology-transect.net/events/boost...
Reposted by John Finn
Gosh, it looks like Ireland is in for some “stark” weather, just perfect, apparently, for lounging around in the park, catching some rays.
Come on, media, you could at least make an effort at trying to communicate the disaster that is #climate change.
Come on, media, you could at least make an effort at trying to communicate the disaster that is #climate change.
January 6, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Gosh, it looks like Ireland is in for some “stark” weather, just perfect, apparently, for lounging around in the park, catching some rays.
Come on, media, you could at least make an effort at trying to communicate the disaster that is #climate change.
Come on, media, you could at least make an effort at trying to communicate the disaster that is #climate change.