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Biodiversity and Metacommunity Ecology Research Group

I am a community ecologist with a major interest in spatial ecology. I am the most excited about how invisible connectivity via dispersal between island-like habitats shapes biodiversity and community patterns.

Standing waters have always been central study objects of metacommunity ecology, especially ponds and pools that can be numerous in a landscape. Most of my work comes from these small ecosystems, focusing on local (trophic relationships, environmental stressors) and regional processes (dispersal) affecting biodiversity.

But the smaller, the more vulnerable: ponds and pools, particularly if they are temporary, are highly sensitive to climate change and human impact. My lab is dedicated to seek a deeper understanding of the consequences of habitat and connectivity loss for metacommunities, studying pond networks both in urban and natural settings and in the form of experimental systems, using mesocosms. By seeking a better understanding of these habitats and their networks in the landscape, we can also make important steps towards conserving them together with their wonderful biodiversity.

The Lab

Get to Know Us

Learn more about the team and our main interests. You can also check out one of our social media pages.

Work with Us

If you are interested in joining the research group, contact me here to discuss project ideas and funding opportunities (either for a shorter or a longer stay).

Institute of Aquatic Ecology in Budapest

Learn more about the institute here.

About Me

I did my PhD in Hungary (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest), and spent most of my postdoc years in the lab of Robert Ptacnik at WasserCluster Lunz in Austria (between 2012 and 2019), with shorter but nevertheless fun detours to other labs, working with Luc De Meester at KU Leuven (Belgium) and Jon Chase at iDiv (Germany) 

I started my own lab at the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research in 2019.