Our Focus
Our research interests fall at the interface between soil, microbial, and ecosystem ecology. Soils, as well as the microbial communities and ecosystem processes supported by soils, are some of the most imperiled systems on the planet. With the importance of soils in mind, we seek to understand how soils, soil communities, and soil meditated ecosystem processes respond to management and environmental change. This exploration has taken us from seeking to understand how invasive plant species impact soil carbon sequestration; to the effects of trophic downgrading on belowground carbon and nutrient cycling; to the role microbial communities play in leaf litter decomposition in the face of tree species and climate change; and more recently the ecosystem scale impacts of increased antibiotic inputs to soils. To realize these efforts we use a question led research approach that employs both field-based and lab-based experimentation. We often pair this approach with both analyses of microbial community composition and stable isotope techniques, allowing us to draw strong linkages between soil communities and ecosystem processes, as well as, the effect environmental change has on this link.
Current Research
The lab currently has several ongoing projects examining a range of topics. Our funded research and recent press are highlighted below.
ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES IN THE AGE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS RELEASED DURING LITTER DECOMPOSITION AND THIER RELEVANCE TO SOIL ECOLOGY
TROPHIC DYNAMICS AND THEIR ROLE IN DETERMINING SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITY COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION.
SYNERGISTIC RESPONSE OF SOIL FUNCTION AND BIODIVERSITY TO MULTIPLE SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Recent Press
Steve McBride receives the outstanding presentation award at the 2019 Soil Ecology Society Meeting. Congrats to Steve!
Our research falls at the intersection of soil, microbial, and ecosystem ecology
The Strickland Lab is funded by the following:
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