Research Interests
We are active in three main research areas: 1) Animal-ecosystem interaction, 2) Structure & function of ecological networks, and 3) Conservation & restoration of ecosystems. We use mathematical modeling, field experiments and observations, spatial analyses, and data synthesis to investigate our three core research themes.
1) Animal-ecosystem interactions
Animal impacts on ecosystem elemental cycling (i.e., zoogeochemistry)
With this research, we are investigating the role of consumers (i.e. predators, herbivores, decomposers, detritivores) in ecosystem elemental cycling. Through their consumptive and non-consumptive activities (e.g. risk), consumers can structure food webs and influence the quantity and quality of materials being recycled through an ecosystem. We are currently conducting field studies on the effects of consumers on streams and forests in Atlantic Canada. Key recent publications on this topic: Theory: Meyer & Leroux 2024 Journal of Animal Ecology; Leroux & Schmitz 2025 Ecology Letters; Ferraro et al. in press Trends in Ecology & Evolution. Empirical: Meyer et al. 2025 Functional Ecology; Swain et al. 2023 Journal of Animal Ecology; Moran et al. in press Ecological Applications. Syntheses: Petersen et al. 2023 Journal of Ecology; Schmitz & Leroux 2020 Annual Reviews of Ecology, Evolution & Systematics.
Figure 2 from Leroux et al. 2020 TREE
Figure 1 from Adams & Leroux 2024 Ecosystems
2) Structure and Function of Ecological Networks
This research focuses on understanding the dynamics of spatially coupled ecosystems such as aquatic-terrestrial ecotones. Much of our basic understanding of ecosystems has derived from studies which treat ecosystems as spatially distinct units. However, a great deal of recent empirical and theoretical work clearly shows that the dynamics of few ecosystems can be understood in isolation of their surrounding areas. Key recent publications on this topic: Theory: Adams & Leroux 2024 Ecosystems; Osakpolor et al. 2023 Ecology; Harvey et al. 2023 Ecography; McLeod et al. 2021 Journal of Animal Ecology. Empirical: Adams & Leroux 2024 Ecosystems; MacSween et al. 2019 Oikos
3) Conservation & Restoration of ecosystems
The joint challenge of climate and biodiversity change is pushing many ecosystems to the brink. Consequently, there is international, regional, and local interest in finding solutions to preserve ecosystems or restore them. One major challenge is identifying areas that require management (e.g., Key Biodiversity Areas, Ecosystems at risk). We are working with agency partners to develop spatial models at regional extents to inform conservation and restoration work. Our research considers biotic (i.e., plants, animals) and abiotic (i.e., inorganic nutrients, moisture) components of ecosystems because we believe an ecosystem approach to conservation and restoration is necessary to improve management outcomes. Key recent publications on this topic: Theory: Rizzuto et al. 2024 Journal of Biogeosciences: Biogeochemistry; Basquill & Leroux 2023 Oikos; Buchkowski et al. 2023 Journal of Forest Research. Empirical: McLeod et al. 2025 Trends in Ecology & Evolution; Wilson et al. 2025 Landscape Ecology; Zhang et al. 2023 Forest Ecology & Management. Synthesis: Schmitz et al. 2023 Nature Climate Change
Figure 1 from Zhang et al. 2023 Forest Ecology & Management