Dr Xiaoli Hu

biodiv_hu@nju.edu.cn

Research Interests

I am interested in understanding responses and adaptations in terrestrial arthropod communities under climate change, as well as how changes in these communities affect ecosystem structure and functions. Currently, my research focuses on two key factors: temperature and precipitation. In my research, I often take advantage of simulated environment facilities, and focus on arthropod communities.

I have observed that the species diversity and biomass of the terrestrial arthropod community in a Tibetan alpine meadow declines under experimental warming, and that predators (spiders) can behaviorally shift their prey size in response. I am also interested in the self-regulation of the whole system under long-term climate change.

Selected Publications

Hu, X., Wu, X., Xiang, S., Chen, Y., Jiang, L., Eisenhauer, N., Reich, P.B. and Sun, S. (2025), Modest Experimental Warming Reduces Species Diversity and Biomass of Arthropods in a Tibetan Alpine Meadow. Glob Change Biol, 31: e70277. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70277

Hu, X., Wu, X., Zhou, Q. et al. Warming causes contrasting spider behavioural responses by changing their prey size spectra. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 190–197 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01918-8