Rate My Professor James Blande

Blande's research focuses on the mechanisms by which atmospheric pollutants, particularly ozone, interact with other abiotic factors such as drought to influence volatile-mediated ecological interactions, including plant-plant communication, plant-pollinator dynamics, plant-herbivore interactions, and tritrophic systems. His work employs model organisms like Brassicaceous plants, boreal forest trees including birch, pine, and spruce, and sagebrush, aiming to predict and harness volatiles for ecosystem services in agriculture and horticulture. He directs the Centre of Excellence in Anthropocenic Chemical Ecology of Forests. Key publications include "Biogenic secondary organic aerosol participates in plant interactions and herbivory defense" (Science, 2024), "Between-plant interactions in Scots pine are not impaired by air pollutants" (Communications Earth & Environment, 2026), "Air pollution impedes plant-to-plant communication by volatiles" (Ecology Letters, 2010), and "Ozone degrades common herbivore-induced plant volatiles: does this affect herbivore prey location by predators and parasitoids?" (Journal of Chemical Ecology, 2007). Blande has secured funding from the Research Council of Finland for projects developing new plant elicitors.