PhD in Ecology
Specialization in Forest Ecology
Sep 2014 – Dec 2017
School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences
East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China

MS in Ecology
Specialization in Forest Ecology
Sep 2012 – Jul 2014
School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences
East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
 
BS in Forestry (4-years)
Majoring in Silviculture, Forest Biometrics, Forest Ecology and Management, and Agroforestry
Sep 2006 – Aug 2010
Department of Forestry
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Dir (U), Pakistan

26th May, 2018-present            Editor
Forest Management and Silviculture – Tropical
Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research
Institute of Chartered Foresters, UK
Oxford University Press
https://academic.oup.com/forestry/pages/Editorial_Board

26th April, 2018- Present           Associate Editor
Forest Ecology and Management
Journal of Forestry Research, Springer Publishers
Northeast Forestry University, China
https://www.springer.com/life+sciences/forestry/journal/11676?detailsPage=editorialBoard

1st April, 2018-present             Distinguished Associate Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher
Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Life Science
South China Normal University, Guangzhou
 
1st Jan 2018-31st March           Visiting Researcher
Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Life Science
South China Normal University, Guangzhou
 
15th July 2012-30th Dec 2017   Research Fellow
Tiantong National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ningbo, PR China ;
Forest Ecosystem Research,, ,, and Observation Station in Putuo Island, Zhoushan, ON ON ON on Zhejiang, PR China
 
26th May 2011-7th July 2012    Project Manager
Resource Organization for Advancement and Development (ROAD-NGO), Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan
 
25th Oct 2010 -25th May 2011  Social Organizer
Interfaith league against poverty (I-LAP NGO) Islamabad, Capital City, Pakistan

Forest and Functional Ecology
Biodiversity-Ecosystem Functioning
Ecological and Statistical Modelling

1. Professor Hai-Sheng Jiang
Affiliation: School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University Guangzhou, PR China
Project title: Biodiversity and ecosystem functions of tropical forests in Hainan Island of China
Role: Data management, data analysis, writing And
collaborators:            Dr Si-Liang Lin (South China Normal University)
                                 Dr. Jei-Kun He (South China Normal University)
 
2. Professor En-Rong Yan
Affiliation: School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University Shanghai, PR China
Project title: Biodiversity And architecture functions of subtropical forests in Eastern China
Role: Field and laboratory work during MS and PhD studies. Currently writing research papers for publication in ISI journals, as a first author and co-author.
Other collaborators:   Professor Han YH Chen (Lakehead University, Canada)
                                  Professor Scott X. Chang ( University of alberta, Canda)
                                  Dr. Madelon Lohbeck (Wageningen University, of of of of of The Netherlands)
 
3. Dr. Eskil Mattsson (Lead Analyst / Researcher)
Affiliation: Center for Environment and Sustainability, University of Gothenburg, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden ; Swedish Agricultural Board
Project title:Linking stand structure, biodiversity and aboveground biomass of homegarden agroforestry systems in the dry zone of Sri Lanka
Role: Writing of research papers for publication in ISI journals, as a first author.
 
4. Dr. Anvar Sanaei (Researcher)
Affiliation : Department of Reclamation And Mountainous Regions of The type of Coupling of Ecological, Natural Resources Faculty, of The University of Tehran, Karaj, PO Box: 31585-4314, Iran
Project title : Linking environment, biodiversity and aboveground biomass in semi-steppe rangelands in Iran
Role: Co-advisor of Anvar Sanahi during his PhD thesis. Writing Of research papers For publication in ISI Journals, As a coauthor or corresponding author.
 
5. Professor Juha M Alatalo
Affiliation: Department of Biological And Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
Project title: Diversity and productivity of an alpine plant Community under different climate change scenarios
Role: Writing of research Papers For Publication in ISI journals.
Other collaborators: Professor Ulf Molau (University Of Gothenburg, Sweden)
                                 Dr. Annika K. Jagerbrand (Senior Research Manager in Calluna AB Land and Water, Sweden)
 
6. Dr. Zuo-Qiang Yuan (Associate Professor )
Affiliation: CAS Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110164, PR China
Project title: Biodiversity and architecture Functions of temperate forests in Northeastern China
Role: Writing of research Papers for publication in ISI journals .
Other collaborators: Professor Michel Loreau (CNRS and Paul Sabatier University, France)
                                . Professor Wang Shaopeng (Peking University, Beijing China)
                                . Xugao Professor Wang (CAS, China)
                                Dr. Antonio Gazol (Instituto Pirenaico De Ecologia, IPE-CSIC, Avenida Montanana, Spain)
                                Dr. Paloma Ruiz-Benito(Universidad de Alcalá, Edificio de Ciencias, Spain)
 
7. Dr. Xiao-Dong Yang ( Associate Professor
Affiliation: Institute of Resources And Environment Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, PR China
Project title: Ecological research in an arid desert region In North-West China
Role: Writing of research papers for publication in ISI journals, as a coauthor.
Other collaborators: Professor Guang-Hui L v (Xinjiang University)
 
8. Dr. Pedro Manuel Villa (Assistant manager / Research coordinator)
Affiliation: Federal University of Viçosa-Department of Botany
Researcher Fores t Restoration Lab. Department of Forestry Engineering
Minas Gerais- Brazil
Project Title: Biodiversity - ecosystem functioning research In Amazon forests
Role: Writing of research papers for publication in ISI journals, as a coauthor.

ResearchGate; please click here to download publications
Google Scholar; please click here for citations

Publications Summary

I have published over 40 papers (nearly 120 impact points; at average >3.5 points) in peer-reviewed journals including one book chapter, with several more currently in review or in revision. This includes papers in top forestry, ecology and multidisciplinary environmental journals such as Ecology (ESA journal), Forest Ecology and Management, Land Degradation & Development, Tree Physiology, Science of the Total Environment, Biogeosciences, Ecological Indicators, Journal of Environmental Management, Annals of Forest Science, Ecohydrology, Journal of Hydrology, Journal of Plant Ecology, Ecological Research. As of Feb 2019, these have been cited over 274 times (h-index = 10, i10-index= 10; based on Google Scholar metrics). Of these publications, 30 have been as first, second, third or corresponding author and have been cited over 200 times. See my Google Scholar profile for up-to-date citation metrics. PDF copies of articles in revision, under review or in press are available on request.

External citations in well-known journals:
Biological Reviews,Global Change Biology, Journal of Ecology, Ecological Applications, Forest Ecology and Management, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Scientific Reports, Ecology and Evolution, Science of the Total Environment, Applied Vegetation Science, Plant and Soil, Frontiers in Plant Science, BioEnergy Research, Agroforestry, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Forests, Flora, Forest systems, Arid Land Research and Management, and many other international and CSCD journals including MS and PhD thesis.

​​​​​​​Peer-Reviewed Publications

2019

42) Yang, X.D., Ali, A., Xu, Y.L., Jiang, L.M. & Lv, G.H. (2019) Soil moisture and salinity as the main drivers for soil respiration across the natural forest and agricultural lands in an arid desert region. Catena (In Press).

41) Ali, A., Lin, S.L., He, J.K., Kong, F.M., Yu, J.H. & Jiang, H.S. (2019) Elucidating space, climate, edaphic and biodiversity effects on aboveground biomass in tropical forests. Land Degradation & Development DOI: 10.1002/ldr.3278

40) Yuan, Z., Ali. A., Jucker, T., Ruiz-Benito, P., Wang, S., Jiang, L., Wang, X., Lin, F., Ye, J., Hao, Z. & Loreau, M. (2019) Multiple abiotic and biotic pathways shape biomass demographic processes in temperate forests. Ecology DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2650

39) Yang, X.D., Wang, J., Ali A., Xu, Y.L., Lamb, D. & Simayi, Z. (2019) Effects of the ephemeral stream on plant species diversity and distribution in an alluvial fan of arid desert region: an application of a low altitude UAV. PLoS ONE (In Press).

38) Ali, A., Chen, H.Y.H., You, W.H. & Yan, E.R. (2019) Multiple abiotic and biotic drivers of aboveground biomass shift with forest strata. Forest Ecology and Management 436, 1-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.01.007

37) Yang, X.D. & Ali, A. (2019) "Biochar for Soil Water Conservation and Salinization Control in Arid Desert Regions" In Biochar from Biomass and Waste, pp. 161-168. Elsevier Publishers. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-811729-3.00009-1 (Book Chapter).

36) Ali, A., Lin, S.L., He, J.K., Kong, F.M., Yu, J.H. & Jiang, H.S. (2019) Tree crown complementarity links positive functional diversity and aboveground biomass in tropical forests. Science of the Total Environment 656, 45-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.342

35) Ali, A*. (2019) Forest stand structure and functioning: current knowledge and future challenges. Ecological Indicators 98, 665-677. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.11.017 (Review Paper).

34) Sanaei, A. & Ali, A*. (2019) What is the role of perennial plants in semi-steppe rangelands? Direct and indirect effects of perennial on annual plant species. Ecological Indicators 98, 389-396. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.11.012

33) Ali, A., Lin, S.L., He, J.K., Kong, F.M., Yu, J.H. & Jiang, H.S. (2019) Climate and soils determine aboveground biomass indirectly via species diversity and stand structural complexity in tropical forests. Forest Ecology and Management 432, 823-831. DOI: 10. 1016/ j. foreco. 2018. 10. 024

32) Sanaei, A., Ali, A*., Ahmadaali, K. & Jahantab, E. (2019) Generalized and species-specific prediction models for aboveground biomass in semi-steppe rangelands. Journal of Plant Ecology. DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rty037

31) Ali, A., Lin, S.L., He, J.K., Kong, F.M., Yu, J.H. & Jiang, H.S. (2019) Climatic water availability is the main limiting factor of biotic attributes across large-scale elevational gradients in tropical forests. Science of the Total Environment 647, 1211-1221. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.072

2018

30) Villa, P.M., Martins, S.V., de Oliveira Neto, S.N., Rodrigues, A.C., Safar, N.V.H., Delgado, L., Monsanto, Cancio, N.M. & Ali, A. (2018) Woody species diversity as an indicator of the forest recovery after shifting cultivation disturbance in the northern Amazon. Ecological Indicators 95(P1), 687-694. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.08.005

29) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2018) Consequences of phylogenetic conservativeness and functional trait similarity on aboveground biomass vary across subtropical forest strata. Forest Ecology and Management 429, 28-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2018.06.042

28) Yuan, Z.Q., Wang, S.P., Ali, A., Gazol, A., Ruiz-Benito, P., Wang, X.G., Lin, F., Ye, J., Hao, Z.Q. & Loreau, M. (2018) Aboveground carbon storage is driven by functional trait composition and stand structural attributes rather than biodiversity in temperate mixed forests recovering from disturbances. Annals of Forest Science 75 (3), 67. DOI: 10.1007/s13595-018-0745-3

27) Ali, A., Lohbeck, M. & Yan, E.R. (2018) Forest strata-dependent functional evenness explains whole-community aboveground biomass through opposing mechanisms. Forest Ecology and Management 424, 439–447. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2018.05.015

26) Sanaei, A., Ali, A*., Chahouki, M.A.Z., Jafari, M. & Azarnivand, H. (2018) Plant coverage is a potential ecological indicator for species diversity and aboveground biomass in semi-steppe rangelands. Ecological Indicators 93, 256-266. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.011

25) Ali, A. & Mattsson, E. (2018) Wood density is a sustainability indicator for the management of dry zone homegarden agroforests: evidences from biodiversity - ecosystem function relationships. Special Issue (Climate and Agriculture) of Ecological Indicators (In Press). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.04.024

24) Yuan, Z.Q., Ali, A., Wang, S.P., Gazol, A., Freckleton, R., Wang, X.G., Lin, F., Ye, J., Zhou, L., Hao, Z.Q. & Loreau, M. (2018) Abiotic and biotic determinants of coarse woody productivity in temperate mixed forests. Science of the Total Environment 630, 422-431. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.125

23) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2018) The mediation roles of intraspecific and interspecific functional trait diversity for linking the response of aboveground biomass to species richness across forest strata in a subtropical forest. Ecological Indicators 85, 493-501. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.10.057

22) Sanaei, A., Chahouki, M.A.Z., Ali, A*., Jafari, M. & Azarnivand, H. (2018) Abiotic and biotic drivers of aboveground biomass in semi-steppe rangelands. Science of the Total Environment 615, 895-905. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.010

21) Sanaei, A., Ali, A*. & Chahouki, M.A.Z. (2018) The positive relationships between plant coverage, species richness, and aboveground biomass are ubiquitous across plant growth forms in semi-steppe rangelands. Journal of Environmental Management 205, 308-318. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.09.079


2017

20) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2017) Functional identity of overstorey tree height and understorey conservative traits drive aboveground biomass in a subtropical forest. Ecological Indicators 83, 158-168. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.07

19) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2017) The forest strata-dependent relationship between biodiversity and aboveground biomass within a subtropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management 401, 125-134. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2017.06.056
                                                                               
18) Ali, A. & Mattsson, E. (2017) Disentangling the effects of species diversity, and intraspecific and interspecific tree size variation on aboveground biomass in dry zone homegarden agroforestry systems. Science of the Total Environment 598, 38-48. DOI:  10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.131

17) Yang, X.D., Lv, G.H., Ali, A., Ran, Q.Y., Gong, X.W., Wang, F., Liu, Z.D., Qin, L. & Liu, W.G. (2017) Variations in functional traits and population dynamics of an ephemeral plant Lappula semiglabra with dew amount gradients in Ebinur Desert in NW, China. Ecohydrology 10(6) e1858. DOI:10.1002/eco.1858

16) Ali, A. & Mattsson, E. (2017) Individual tree size inequality enhances aboveground biomass in homegarden agroforestry systems in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Science of the Total Environment 575, 6-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.022

15) Ali, A., Yan, E.R., Scott, X.C., Cheng, J.Y. & Liu, X.Y. (2017) Community-weighted mean of leaf traits and divergence of wood traits predict aboveground biomass in secondary subtropical forests. Science of the Total Environment 574, 654–662. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.022

14) Zhao, Y.T., Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2017) The plant economics spectrum is structured by leaf habits and growth forms across subtropical species. Tree Physiology 37 (2): 173-185. DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpw098

13) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2017) Relationships between biodiversity and carbon stocks in forest ecosystems: a systematic literature review. Tropical Ecology 58(1), 1–14. (Review Paper).


2016 and earlier

12) Ali, A., Molau, U., Yang, B., Jägerbrand, A.K. & Alatalo, J.M. (2016) Diversity-productivity dependent resistance of an alpine plant community to different climate change scenarios. Ecological Research 31(6), 935–945. DOI: 10.1007/s11284-016-1403-6

11) Ali, A., Yan, E.R., Chen, H.Y.H., Chang, S.X., Zhao, Y.T., Yang, X.D. & Xu, M.S. (2016) Stand structural diversity rather than species diversity enhances aboveground carbon storage in secondary subtropical forests in Eastern China. Biogeosciences 13(16), 4627-4635. DOI:10.5194/bg-13-4627-2016, Biogeosciences Discussion., DOI:10.5194/bg-2016-6. Data from: Stand structural diversity rather than species diversity enhances aboveground carbon storage in secondary subtropical forests in Eastern China. Dryad Digital Repository. DOI:10.5061/dryad.8bp7m

10) Ali, A., Xu, M.S., Zhao, Y.T., Zhang, Q.Q., Zhou, L.L., Yang, X.D. & Yan, E.R. (2015) Allometric biomass equations for shrub and small tree species in subtropical China. Silva Fennica 49 (4), 1-10. DOI:10.14214/sf.1275

9) Ali, A. (2015) A review of strong evidence for the effect of functional dominance on carbon stocks in natural forest ecosystems. Research Journal of Forestry 9(3), 65-70. DOI:10.3923/rjf.2015.65.70 (Review Paper).

8) Yang, X.D., Zhang, X.N., Lv, G.H. & Ali, A. (2014) Linking Populus euphratica hydraulic redistribution to diversity assembly in the arid desert zone of Xinjiang, China. PLoS ONE, 9(10), e109071. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0109071

7) Ali, A., Ma, W.J., Yang, X.D., Sun, B.W., Shi, Q.R. & Xu, M.S. (2014) Biomass and carbon stocks in Schima superba dominated subtropical forests of eastern China. Journal of Forest Science, 60(5), 198-207. DOI: 10.17221/21/2014-JFS

6) Song, Y.J., Tian, W.B., Liu, X.Y., Ying, F., Cheng, J.Y., Zhu, D.N., A. Ali. & Yan, E.R. (2016) Associations between litterfall dynamics and micro-climate in forests of Putuoshan Island, Zhejiang, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 40 (11), 1154–1163. DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2016.0157

5) Xu. M.S., Zhao, Y.T., Yang, X.D., Shi, Q.R., Zhou, L.L., Zhang, Q.Q., Ali. A. & Yan. E.R. (2016) Geostatistical analysis of spatial variations in leaf traits of woody plants in Tiantong, Zhejiang Province. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 40 (1), 48-59. DOI:10.17521/cjpe.2015.0246

4) Zhao Y.T., Xu, M.S., Zhang, Z.H., Zhou, L.L., Zhang, Q.Q., Ali, A., Song, Y.J. & Yan, E.R. (2016) Characteristics of hydraulic architecture in woody plants across successional stages in evergreen broad-leaved forests in Tiantong, Zhejiang Province. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 40(2), 116-126. DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2015.0258


3) Ma, W.J., Zhao, Y.T., Zhang, Q.Q., Ali, A., Shi, Q.R. & Yan, E.R. (2014) C:N:P stoichiometry in forest floor litter of evergreen broad-leaved forests at different successional stages in Tiantong, Zhejiang, eastern China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 38(8), 833-842. DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2014.00078

2) Sun, B.W., Yang, X.D., Zhang, Z.H., Ma, W.J., Ali, A., Huang, H.X. & Yan, E.R. (2013) Relationships between soil carbon pool and vegetation carbon return through succession of evergreen broad-leaved forests in Tiantong region, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 37(9), 803-810. DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2013.00084

1) Yang, X.D., Yan, E.R., Zhang, Z.H., Sun, B.W., Huang, H.X., Ali, A., Ma, W.J. & Shi, Q.R. (2013) Tree architecture of overlapping species among successional stages in evergreen broad-leaved forests in Tiantong region, Zhejiang Province, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 37(7), 611-619. DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2013.00063


Editorials, Conference Abstracts, Posters and Presentations
6) Ali, A., Lin, S.L., He, J.K., Kong, F.M., Yu, J.H. & Jiang, H.S. (2018) Tree Functional diversity increases aboveground biomass via increasing tree crown complementarity in tropical forests of Hainan Island, Southern China. sciencesconf.org:sfecologie2018:208615. (oral presentation in International Conference on Ecological Sciences, Rennes, France)

5) Ali. A. (2017) Represented East China Normal University as the main organizer or student in charge in The 15th Challenge Cup Carnival on Technological Innovation of Overseas Students in China. Biodiversity and the functioning of forests in Eastern China.

4) Ali, A. & Yan, E.R. (2016) Stand structural diversity rather than species diversity enhances aboveground carbon storage in secondary subtropical forests in Eastern China. 2016 2nd graduate students’ forum (Guang Hua forum) held at School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University. Available at http://www.sees.ecnu.edu.cn/index.php?classid=7345&newsid=10911&t=show (First presentation on 18th December, 2016)

3) Ali, A., Yan, E.R., Xu, M.S., Zhao, Y.T. & Zhou, L.L. (2015) Functional dominance and divergence predict carbon stocks in subtropical forests: Testing the mass ratio and niche complementarity hypotheses. 64th International symposium on ecology held at East China Normal University, Shanghai (Research Poster on 26th Sep, 2015). Available at http://www.sees.ecnu.edu.cn/index.php?classid=7345&newsid=10609&t=show

2) Ali, A. (2014) Deforestation: a key ecological issue. The Express Tribune, opinion letter no. 697344. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/697344/deforestation-a-key-ecological-issue/

1) Ali, A., Yan, E.R. & Yang. X.D. (2013) Effects of stand structural diversity on carbon stocks in the subtropical forests of eastern China. 2013 national conference of Ecological Society of China (held at Nanchang China). Available at http://www.planta.cn/forum/files_planta/oeparagraphae__104.pdf (Page 26, Poster no. P38)

Co-advised students

1. Ms. Maryam Kazempour Larsary , Department of Forestry, Natural Resource Faculty, University of Guilan, Somehsara, PO Box 1144, Guilan, Iran.
Supervisor: Professor Hassan Pourbabaei.
Status: PhD student

2. Dr. Anvar Sanaei , Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Natural Resources Faculty, The University of Tehran, Iran.
Student No: 720192031; Duration, 2014-17. Co-advised in the last year of PhD (2017).
Supervisor: Professor Mohammad Ali Zare Chachouki
Status: Graduated