Ecosystem Modelling & Observation Integration
– Tang Group

The research group focuses on understanding terrestrial ecosystem dynamics and associated feedback under changing climate. We develop and apply ecosystem models, and integrate different scales of observation data into models to explore process interactions and climatic feedback.
Floating scientific equipment with wires is set up on a reflective body of water, surrounded by grassy and mossy terrain, indicating a research setting. A moose stands near a small pond surrounded by wildflowers and scattered trash, set against a mountainous backdrop under a clear blue sky. A small, square patch of vibrant green and purple moss with scattered twigs rests on a white, dotted surface. A robotic arm hovers over a planter containing diverse, lush green and red plants. Split-image showing landscape changes from 1989 to 2019. The top features icons of sun, cloud, and rain with labeled fluxes: sensible, latent heat, CO2, CH4, BVOCs. 3D vegetation model with blue cones and red, green shapes on a grid. Diagram of the EC-Earth3 model with components: atmosphere, ocean, land, and runoff. Key modules labeled, connected to a central circle. A globe grid visual with a highlighted center in dark shading, surrounded by brown land and blue ocean regions.

 

 

 

 

 

Our group investigates how terrestrial ecosystems respond to and influence climate change. We use ecosystem models in combination with observational data across multiple scales to better understand key ecological processes and their feedbacks within the Earth system.

  • We study processes regulating ecosystem fluxes of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), CO2 and CH4, and quantify biochemical feedbacks of these fluxes to the atmosphere.
  • We explore vegetation-water-carbon interactions within terrestrial ecosystems as well as process interactions between land and aquatic ecosystems with the linkages through water and soil-leached dissolved matters.
  • We aim to understand the dynamics of plant-experienced temperature and the importance of thermal acclimation of arctic plants.

 

 

Collected mesocosms from the Arctic

Collected mesocosms from the Arctic (2023, Abisko, Sweden) to study plant and soil responses to warmer and extreme climate in climate chambers

A person sits by a pond in a grassy meadow, surrounded by scientific equipment floating on the water.

In-situ measurement of CO2, CH4 and VOC fluxes from thermokarst ponds, @ Abisko, northern Sweden, 2024.

Canopy Crane at Xishuangbanna, southwest of China

Canopy Crane at Xishuangbanna, southwest of China, 2024. Team heads to measure canopy VOC emissions at different canopy height, 2025.

Three images show tree trunks equipped with scientific apparatus wrapped in plastic and tape, capturing fluids. Below, a vast green forest landscape.

Sampling stem VOC emissions at healthy and insect-infested snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) trees in New South Wales, Australia, 2025

Remote field site: Two images show scientific equipment floating on a calm water body amid a vast, green landscape under different lighting—overcast vs. sunset.

Measurement in action @Bylot island, high Arctic of Canada, 2025 (Photo Credit: Ida Roos Friis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our research group is supported by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our research group offers courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, and postdoc levels within general and advanced terrestrial ecology.

Bachelor course

  • Introduction to ecological modelling: from microbial to ecosystem dynamics
  • General Ecology

Master courses

PhD and Postdoc

  • Ecosystem modelling using LPJ-GUESS

 

 

Daniel Charles Thomas, Postdoc
Zhanzhuo Chen, Visiting PhD student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait of Jing Tang

Group leader

Jing Tang
Principal Investigator

Phone+45 35 33 46 06
jing.tang@bio.ku.dk

Section of Terrestrial Ecology

VOLT center

Group members

Name Title Phone E-mail
Contreras Serrano, Marta PhD Fellow +4535335327 E-mail
Donhauser, Jonathan Assistant Professor E-mail
Friis, Ida Roos PhD Fellow +4535337810 E-mail
Ma, Hongliang Postdoc +4535336058 E-mail
Tang, Jing Assistant Professor - Tenure Track +4535334606 E-mail
Verbruggen, Wim Postdoc E-mail
Wang, Zhenqian Postdoc +4535325405 E-mail

Master students

Navn Title E-mail
Anniki Birth Master student
E-mail
Elisabet Font Rovira
Master student
E-mail