Ecological Systems Laboratory

The Laboratory of Ecological Systems (ECOS) at EPFL, led by Prof. Alexandre Buttler until his retirement in 2019, focused on studying terrestrial plant, animal, and microbial communities in relation to ecosystem processes. Their research included investigating the impact of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species on natural ecosystems. ECOS conducted field studies, manipulative experiments, and ecological modeling to provide science-based guidelines for conservation and restoration of sensitive terrestrial ecosystems. Their work emphasized the functional link between above and belowground communities in producing critical ecosystem services and assessing ecological resilience. Current projects include studying the impact of climate change on ecosystems, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem management and restoration.