PROF.  ALEXANDRE BUTTLER

Research interests

Research is centred on the organization, functioning and dynamics of terrestrial plant, animal and microbial communities in relation to ecosystem processes. A strong focus is on the functional links between above and belowground communities in the delivery of critical ecosystem services and as indicators of a changing environment. Research outputs concern mainly wetland, pasture woodland and grassland ecosystems.

Publications

Reprint request to: alexandre.buttler@epfl.ch

ISI (2011-2015, in total 108)

1. Mariotte, P., Robroek, B.J.M., Jassey, V.E.J., Buttler, A. 2015. Subordinate plants mitigate drought effects on soil ecosystem processes by stimulating fungi. Functional Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.12467
2. Gorla, L., Signarbieux, C., Turberg, P., Buttler, A. & Perona, P. 2015. Transient response of Salix cuttings to changing water level regimes. Water Resour. Res., 51, doi:10.1002/2014WR015543.
3. Buttler, A., Robroek, BJM., Laggoun-Défarge, F., Jassey, VEJ., Pochelon, C., Bernard, G., Delarue, F., Gogo, S., Mariotte, P., Mitchell, EAD & Bragazza, L. 2015. Experimental warming interacts with soil moisture to discriminate plant responses in an ombrotrophic peatland. Journal of vegetation science (in press).
4. Pohl, C., G. Wuelser, P. Bebi, H. Bugmann, A. Buttler, C. Elkin, A., Gret-Regamey, C. Hirschi, Q. Le, A. Peringer, A. Rigling, R. Seidl and R. Huber. 2015. How to successfully publish interdisciplinary research: learning from an Ecology and Society Special Feature. Ecology and Society 20 (2): 23. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol20/iss2/art23/
5. Gorla, L., Signarbieux, C., Turberg, P., Buttler, A., Perona, P. 2015. Effects of hydropeaking waves offsets on growth performances of juvenile Salix species. Ecological Engineering 77 : 297-306.
6. Delarue, F., Buttler, A., Bragazza, L., Grasset, L., Jassey, V.E.J., Gogo, S. & Laggoun, F. 2015. Experimental warming differentially affects microbial structure and activity in two contrasted moisture sites in a Sphagnum-dominated peatland. Science of the Total Environment 511 : 576–583.
7. Niita, A. Butter, A. Stupariu, I.  2015. Perception and use of landscape concepts in the procedure of Environmental Impact Assessment; case study Switzerland and Romania. Land Use Policy 44 : 145-152.
8. Puissant, J., Cécillon, L., Mills, R.T.E., Robroek, B.J.M. Gavazov, K., De Danieli, S., Spiegelberger, T., Buttler, A., Brun, J.J. 2015. Seasonal influence of climate manipulation on microbial community structure and function in mountain soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 80:296–305.
9. Luca Bragazza, Richard D. Bardgett, Edward A.D. Mitchell, and Alexandre Buttler 2014 Linking vascular plant biomass with microbial community along an altitude gradient. New Phytologist 10/2014; 205(3). DOI:10.1111/nph.13116
10. Delarue, F., Gogo, S., Buttler, A., Bragazza, L., Jassey, V., Bernard, G. and Laggoun-Défarge, F. 2014. Indirect effects of experimental warming on dissolved organic carbon content in subsurface peat. J. Soils Sediments 14(11) : 1800-1805.
11. Turberg, P., Zeimetz, F., Grondin, Y., Elandoy, C. and Buttler, A. 2014. Characterization of structural disturbances in peats by X-ray CT based density determinations. European Journal of Sol Science. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-014-9798-9. European Journal of Soil Science, 65, 613–624.
12. Gavazov, K., Mills, R., Spiegelberger, T., Lenglet, J., Buttler, A. 2014. Biotic and abiotic constraints on the decomposition of Fagus sylvatica leaf litter along an altitudinal gradient in contrasting land-use types. Ecosystems?17 : 1326-1337. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-014-9798-9.
13. Mills, R., K. Gavazov, T. Spiegelberger, D. Johnson and A. Buttler 2014. Diminished soil functions occur under simulated climate change in a sup-alpine pasture, but heterotrophic temperature sensitivity indicates microbial resilience. Science of the Total Environment, vol. 473–474(0), p. 465-472.
14. Thébault, A., Clément, JC., Ibanez, S., Roy, J., Geremia, RA., Pérez, CA., Buttler, A., Estienne, Y. and Lavorel, S. 2014 Nitrogen limitation and microbial diversity at the treeline. Oikos doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2013.00860.x
15. Gavazov, K., Spiegelberger, T. and Buttler, A. 2014. Transplantation of subalpine wood-pasture turfs along a natural climatic gradient reveals lower resistance of unwooded pastures to climate change compared to wooded ones. Oecologia (174) : 1425-1435. DOI 10.1007/s00442-013-2839-9.
16. Meisser, M., Deléglise, C., Mosimann, E., Signarbieux, C., Mills, R., Schlegel, P., Buttler, A., Jeangros, B. 2013. Effets d’une sécheresse estivale sévere sur une prairie permanente de montagne du Jura. Recherche Agronomique Suisse 4 (11-12): 476-483.
17. Huber, R., H. Bugmann, A. Buttler and A. Rigling. 2013. Sustainable Land-use Practices in European Mountain Regions under Global Change: an Integrated Research Approach. Ecology and Society 18 (3): 37. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss3/art37/
18. Huber, R., A. Rigling, P. Bebi, F. Simon Brand, S. Briner, A. Buttler, C. Elkin, F. Gillet, A. Gret-Regamey, C. Hirschi, H. Lischke, R. Werner Scholz, R. Seidl, T. Spiegelberger, A. Walz, W. Zimmermann and H. Bugmann. 2013. Sustainable Land Use in Mountain Regions Under Global Change: Synthesis Across Scales and Disciplines. Ecology and Society 18 (3): 36. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss3/art36/
19. Lamentowicz, M., Bragazza, L., Buttler, A., Jassey, V.E.J., Mitchell, E.A.E. 2013. Seasonal patterns of testate amoeba diversity, community structure and species eenvironment relationships in four Sphagnum-dominated peatlands along a 1300 m altitudinal gradient in Switzerland. Soil Biology and Biochemistry (67) : 1-11.
20. Ezzat, L., Merle, P.-L., Furla, P., Buttler, A., Ferrier-Pages, C. 2013. The response of the Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularis to thermal stress is independent of its nutritional regime. PLOS ONE (5) e64370.
21. Peringer A., Siehoff S., Chételat J., Spiegelberger T., Buttler A. & Gillet F. 2013. Past and future landscape dynamics in pasture-woodlands of the Swiss Jura Mountains under climate change. Ecology and Society, 18, 3: 11. DOI: 10.5751/ES-05600-180311. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss3/art11/
22. Mariotte, P., Buttler, A., Kohler, F., Gilgen, A., Spiegelberger, T. 2013. How do subordinate and dominant species in semi-natural mountain grasslands relate to productivity and land-use change. Basic and Applied Ecology 14 (3): 217-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2013.02.003.
23. Huber R., Briner S., Peringer A., Lauber S., Seidl R., Widmer A., Gillet F., Buttler A., Bao Le Q. & Hirschi C. 2013. Modeling social-ecological feedback effects in the implementation of payments for environmental services in pasture-woodlands. Ecology and Society, 18, 2: 41. DOI:10.5751/ES-05487-180241. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss2/art41/
24. Mariotte, P., Vandenberghe, Ch., Kardol. P., Hagedorn, F., Buttler, A. 2013. Subordinate plant species enhance community resistance against drought in semi-natural grasslands. Journal of Ecology 101 (3), 763–773. doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.12064.
25. Mariotte, P., Vandenberghe, C., Meugnier, C., Rossi, P, Bardgett R.D. Buttler, A. 2013 Subordinate plant species impact on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functioning in grasslands: findings from a removal experiment. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 15 : 77-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2012.12.003
26. Robroek, B.J.M., Heijboer, A., Jassey, V.E.J., Hefting, M.M., Rouwenhorst, T.G., Buttler, A., Bragazza, L. 2013 Snow cover manipulation effects on microbial community structure and soil chemistry in a mountain bog. Plant Soil     (369) 1-2 : 151-164. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-012-1547-2.
27. Bragazza, L., Parisod, J., Buttler, A., Bardgett, R.D. 2013. Biogeochemical plant-soil microbe feedback in response to climate warming. Nature Climate Change 3 : 273-277.
28. Gavazov, K. S., A. Peringer, A. Buttler, F. Gillet and T. Spiegelberger. 2013. Dynamics of Forage Production in Pasture-woodlands of the Swiss Jura Mountains under Projected Climate Change Scenarios. Ecology and Society 18 (1): 38. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss1/art38/
29. Chételat, J., M. Kalbermatten, K. S.M. Lannas, T. Spiegelberger, J.-B. Wettstein, F. Gillet, A. Peringer and A. Buttler. 2013. A Contextual Analysis of Land-Use and Vegetation Changes in Two Wooded Pastures in the Swiss Jura Mountains. Ecology and Society 18 (1): 39. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol18/iss1/art39/
30. Jassey, V.E.J., Chiapusio, G., Binet. P., Buttler, A., Laggoun-Défarge, F., Delarue, F., Bernard, N., Mitchell, E.A.D., Toussaint, A.-L., Francez, A.-J., Gilbert, D., 2013. Above- and belowground linkages in Sphagnum peatland : climate warming affects plant-microbial interactions. Global Change Biology, 19(3), 811–823. doi:10.1111/gcb.12075.
31. Mariotte P., Meugnier C., Johnson D., Thébault A., Spiegelberger T. and Buttler A. 2012. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce the differences in competitiveness between dominant and subordinate plant species. Mycorrhiza (2013) 23:267–277. DOI 10.1007/s00572-012-0465-8
32. Siegenthaler, A., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P., Gobat, J.-M., Nilsson, MB, Mitchell, EAD. 2012 Factors modulating cottongrass seedling growth stimulation to enhanced nitrogen and carbon dioxyde : compensatory tradeoffs in leaf-dynamics and allocation to meet potassium-limited growth. Oecologia DOI 10.1007/s00442-012-2415-8.
33. Buttler A., Gavazov K., Peringer A., Siehoff S., Mariotte P., Wettstein J.-B., Chételat J., Huber R., Gillet F. & Spiegelberger T., 2012. Conservation des pâturages boisés du Jura: défis climatiques et agro-politiques. Recherche Agronomique Suisse 3 (7-8): 346-353. In German : Buttler A., Gavazov K., Peringer A., Siehoff S., Mariotte P., Wettstein J.-B., Chételat J., Huber R., Gillet F. & Spiegelberger T., 2012. Erhaltung der Wytweiden im Jura: Klimatische und agrarpolitische Herausforderungen. Agrarforschung 3 (7-8): 346-353.
34. Huber R., Bebi P., Briner S., Bugmann H., Buttler A., Gret-Regamey A., Hirschi C., Scholz R.W., Zimmermann W. & Rigling A., 2012. MOUNTLAND: Changements climatiques et utilisation durable du sol en montagne. Recherche Agronomique Suisse 3 (7-8): 340-345, 2012. In German : Huber R., Bebi P., Briner S., Bugmann H., Buttler A., Gret-Regamey A., Hirschi C., Scholz R.W., Zimmermann W. & Rigling A., 2012. MOUNTLAND: Klimawandel und nachhaltige Landnutzung im Berggebiet. Agrarforschung 3 (7-8): 340-345.
35. Luyet, V., Schlaepfer, R., Parlange, M.B., Buttler, A. 2012. A framework to implement stakeholder participation in environmental projects. Journal of Environmental Management 111 : 213-219.
36. Thébault A., Stoll P. and Buttler A. 2012 Complex interactions between spatial pattern of resident species and invasiveness of newly arriving species affect invasibility. Oecologia 170(4) : 1133-1142.
37. J. Limpens, G. Granath, R. Aerts, M.M.P.D. Heijmans, L.J. Sheppard, L. Bragazza, B. L. Williams, H. Rydin, J. Bubier, T. Moore, L. Rochefort, E.A.D. Mitchell, A. Buttler, L.J.L. van den Berg, U. Gunnarsson,  A-J. Francez, R. Gerdol, M. Thormann, P. Grosvernier, M.M. Wiedermann, M.B. Nilsson, M.R. Hoosbeek, S. Bayley, J-F. Nordbakken, M.P.C.P. Paulissen, S. Hotes, A. Breeuwer, M. Ilomets, H.B.M. Tomassen, I. Leith, B. Xu 2012. Greenhouse versus field experiments: do they yield ecologically similar results for assessing N impacts on peat mosses? New Phytologist 195(2) : 408-418.
38. Raharimalala, O., Buttler, A., Schlaepfer, R., Gobat, J.-M. 2012. Quantifying biomass of secondary forest after slash-and-burn cultivation in Central Menabe, Madagascar. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 24(4) : 474-489.
39. Mariotte P. , Buttler A., Jonhson D., Thébault A. and Vandenberghe, C. 2012. Exclusion of root competition increases competitive abilities of subordinate plant species through root-shoot interactions. Journal of Vegetation Science 23(6) : 1148-1158
40. Spiegelberger T., Gillet F., Amiaud B., Thébault A., Mariotte P. and Buttler A. 2012 How do plant community ecologists consider the complementarity of observational, experimental and theoretical modelling approaches. Plant Ecology and Evolution 145(1) : 4-12.
41. Gillet F., Buttler A. & Spiegelberger T. 2012. New insights in plant community ecology. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 145, 1: 3-3.
42. Bragazza, L., Buttler, A., Habermarcher, J., Brancaleoni, L, Gerdol, R, Fritze, H, Hanajík, P, Laiho, R, and Johnson, D. 2012 High nitrogen deposition alters the decomposition of bog plant litter and reduces carbon accumulation. Global Change Biology  18(3) : 1163-1172.
43. Pohl, M., Graf, F., Buttler, A., Rixen, C. 2012 The relationship between plant species richness and soil aggregate stability can depend on disturbance. Plant Soil 355: 87-102.
44. Sekulova, L., Hajek, M., Hajkova, P., Mikulaskova, E., Buttler, A., Syrovatka, V., Rozbrojova, Z. 2012 Patterns of bryophyte and vascular plant richness in European subalpine springs. Plant Ecol. 213 (2): 237-249.
45. Delarue, F., Laggoun-Défarge, F., Buttler, A., Gogo, S., Jassey, V., Disnar, J.-R. 2011 Effect of short-term ecosystem experimental warming on water-extractable organic matter in an ombotrophic Sphagnum peatland (Le Forbonnet, France). Organic Geochemistry 42(9): 1016-1024.
46. Pohl, M., Stroude, R., Buttler, A., Rixen, C.  2011 Functional traits and root morphology of alpine plants. Annals of Botany 108(3): 537-545.
47. Jassey, V.E.J., Chiapusio, G., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. Toussaint, M-L., Binet, P., 2011Experimental climate effect on seasonal variability of polyphenols/phenoloxidase interplay along a narrow fen-bog ecological gradient in Sphagnum fallax. Global Change Biology 17(9): 2945-2957.
48. Limpens, J., Granath, G., Gunnarsson, U., Aerts, R., Bayley, S,  Bragazza, L., Bubier, J., Buttler, A., van den Berg, L., Francez, A.-J., Gerdol, R.,  Grosvernier, P., Heijmans, M.M.P.D, Hoosbeek, M.R., Hotes, S., Ilomets, M., Leith, I., Mitchell, E.A.D., Moore, T., Nilsson, M.B., Nordbakken, J-F., Rochefort, L., Rydin, H., Sheppard, L.J., Thormann, M., Wiedermann, M.M., Williams, B., Xu, B. 2011 Temperature and N saturation can exacerbate negative production response to increasing N deposition: a meta-analysis for Sphagnum mosses. New Phytologist 191(2) : 496-507
49. Ponel, P., Court-Picon, M., Badura, M., Guiter, F., De Beaulieu, J.-L., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Djamali, M., Leydet, M., Gandouin, E., Buttler, A. 2011 Holocene history of Lac des Lauzons (2180 m a.s.l.), reconstructed from multiproxy analyses of Coleoptera, plant macro-remains and pollen(Hautes-Alpes, France. Holocene. Holocene 21(4): 565-582.
50. Vuilleumier, S., Buttler, A., Perrin, N., Yearsley, J.-M. 2011 Invasion and eradication of a competitively superior species in heterogeneous landscapes. Ecological Modelling 222 : 398-406.

Publication in not cited peer reviewed journals (2011-2015)

1. Siegenthaler, A., Buttler, A., Grosvernier, P., Gobat, J.-M., Mitchell, E. 2014. Discrepancies in growth measurement methods of mosses: An example from two keystone species grown under increased CO2 and N supply in a restored peatland. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2014, 5, 2354-2371.
2. Dirac Ramohavelo, C., Sorg, J.-P., Buttler, A., Reinhard, M. 2014. Recommandations pour une agriculture plus écologique respectant les besoins socio-économiques locaux, région du Menabe Central, côte ouest de Madagascar. Madagascar Conservation & Development 9(1) : 13-19.
3. Buttler, A., Spiegelberger, T,. Chételat, J., Kalbermatten, M., Lannas, K., Peringer, A., Wettstein, J.-B., Gillet, F. 2012. Evolution récente et future des paysages sylvo-pastoraux du Parc Jurassien Vaudois. Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 163(12): 469-480.
4. Huber, R., Bebi, P., Briner, S., Bugmann, H., Buttler, A., Gret-Regamey, A., Hirschi, C., Zimmermann, W., Rigling, A. 2012. Waldausdehnung in zwei Regionen des Schweizer Berggebiets: eine integrative Analyse. Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 163(12): 502-511.
5. Peringer A., Gillet F., Spiegelberger T. & Buttler A. 2011. Vegetation dynamics in pasture-woodland landscapes under climate change. In: Minden V. (ed.), Ecological functions, patterns, processes, Verhandlung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie, Band 41, 5-9 September 2011, Oldenburg, Germany. p. 216.
6. Parisod, J., Hassouna, M., Buttler, A., Bragazza, L. 2011 Spatial and temporal characterization of dissolved organic matter in bog water based on spectroscopic properties : the effects of humification. Geophysical Research Abstracts 13
7. Jassey, V., Chiapusio, G., Gilbert, D., Buttler, A. Toussaint, M.-L., Binet, Ph. 2011 Climatic effect on seasonal polyphenols/phenoloxidase interplay in Sphagnum fallax along a narrow ecological gradient. Geophysical Research Abstracts 13.

Books / Monographs (2011-2015)

1. Lamentowicz, M., Słowińska, S., Słowiński, M., Marcisz, K., Jassey, V., Chojnicki, B.H., Reczuga, M., Zielińska, M., Błażejczyk, K., Tryjanowski, P., Buttler., A. 2015. Rezerwat Przyrody Linje – unikatowe interdyscyplinarne badania ekosystemu torfowiska. Zespołu Parków Krajobrazowych Chełmińskiego i Nadwiślańskiego, ed. Jarosław Pająkowski, ISBN 978-83-62826-57-5, pp : 80-86.
2. Peringer, A., Schulze, K.A., Stupariu, I., Stupariu, M.-S., Buttler, A., Gillet, F. & G. Rosenthal. 2015. Klimawandel-angepasstes, post-konservatives Management halb-offener Weidelandschaften. In: Feit, U. & H. Korn (Hrsg.): Treffpunkt Biologische Vielfalt, Band XIV, BfN-Skripten (in press).
3. Buttler, A. & A. Peringer. 2014. Pattern and processes at various spatio-temporal scales and adaptation to climate change. In: Hartel, T. & T. Plieninger (eds.): European wood pastures in transition: a social-ecological approach. ISBN-10: 0415869897 | ISBN-13: 978-0415869898.
4. Buttler, A. 2014. Grasslands in silvopastoral mountain ecosystems, in: Grasslands biodiversity and conservation in a changing world.  Mariotte, P. & Kardol. P. (Eds).  Nova Publisher, New York, ISBN 978-1-61761-619-8, p. 187-217.

Major (international) press releases (2011-2015)

1. Avec le réchauffement, les tourbieres se transforment en émetteurs de CO2. Le Monde, Planete, 5 janvier 2013 (P. Le Hir).
2. La montagne a l’épreuve du changement. Le Monde, Planete, 26-27 février 2012 (P. Le Hir).
3. Swiss soil reveals climate change in mountain ecosystems – Low-tech experiment produces accurate data on threat to plant biodiversity and may also help with carbon capture. The Guardian Weekly, Tuesday 20 March 2012 (P. Le Hir).

Other press releases (2011-2015)

1. Les paysages jurassiens en mutation. La Côte 14 février 2013 (S. Guggenheim).
2. Klimagarant Torfmoor, Dreiecksbeziehungen zwischen Pflanze, Mikroorganismus und Temperatur. P.T. Magazin für Wirstschaft und Gesellschaft, 1 Februar 2013.
3. How shrubs are reducing the positive contribution of peatlands to climate. Science Daily, 23 Dec. 2012.
4. L’expansion des buissons nuit au bilan carbone. Le Matin, 26 déc. 2012 (ats, Newsnet).
5. De puits de carbone a sources de carbone. 20 Minutes Online, 26 déc. 2012 (ats).
6. Der Klimawandel beinflusst die Torfmoore. Basler Zeitung, 6 Jan. 2013 (mbr).
7. Sträucher können aus Mooren Klimasünder machen. Tages Anzeiger 28.12.2012 (ml).
8. Les pâturages boisés souffrent de la hausse des températures. Terre et Nature 30 juin 2011 (Alexander Zelenka).
9. La foret expliquée aux enfants.  L’Echo, Région, juillet 2011 (Jocelyne Laurent).
10. Les pâturages boisés a l’essai. Agriculture de Montagne, des solutions a l’étude sur le réchauffement climatique. Journal La Côte, 14 octobre 2011 (Bernard Messerli).
11. Quand les arbres l’emportent sur les sapins. Medias et communication EPFL, Journal Flash, 02 :16-17, 15.02.2011 (S. Perrin).
12. La communauté végétale profite des plantes subordonnées. Horizons, Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique, Le magazine suisse de la recherche scientifique 91, décembre 2011 (Mireille Pittet).
13. Un domaine pour étudier les effets du réchauffement. 24heures, 26 janvier 2012. (Manon Germond)
14. L’impact des canicules sous la loupe des experts. 24heures, 13 septembre 2012 (V.M.A.)

Education

1978
M.Sc. in biology, Univ. Neuchâtel
1979
Teaching certificate, Univ. Neuchâtel
1987
Ph.D. in plant ecology, Univ. Neuchâtel
1988
Postdoc fellowships at QMC University of London and at LRRC Agriculture Canada, Ottawa
Occasionally
Further training in agronomy, soil science, statistics and environment (Univ. Neuchâtel, ETHZ)
Work Experience

1980-1987
Course Assistant at ETH Zürich and University of Neuchâtel
1989-1999
Lecturer at University of Neuchâtel
1998-2003
Ordinary professor at University of Franche-Comté, France
2004-present
Professor of ecology at EPFL-ENAC-IIE, Lausanne and Director of ECOS Laboratory
2006-2010
Former director of the course “Sustainable Development”, EPFL SHS
2006-2011
Appointed member of WSL directorate
2013-
Invited professor Univ. Adam-Mieckiewicz, Poznan
2014
Sabbatical at University of Berkeley, California, and Research Institut INSTAAR, Boulder, Univ. Colorado