The Ecosystem Ecology Laboratory

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In collaboration with Chris Habeck, Rick Lindroth (UWI), and Richard Norby (ORNL), we aim to understand how small mammal activity influences the structure, function, and trajectory of a transitional ecosystem.


We are also sampling similar exclosures in CO at the RMBL.

Effects of small mammal populations on old-field ecosystem function

This recently funded project is in collaboration with David Westion (ORNL), Nate Sanders (UT), Greg Crutsinger (Berkeley) and Lara Souza (UT).

Developing a systems biology approach for linking genetic and environmental constraints to primary productivity

Little is known about how changes in the amount and type of root exudate might alter the function of the associated soil microbial community. In collaboration with Chris Schadt (ORNL), we are investigating specific linkages between microbial diversity and function, and root exudates by merging two technologies - stable isotope probing (SIP) and Functional Gene microArrays - to link root exudate quality and quantity with rhizosphere microbial community structure.

The role of root exudation and rhizosphere microbial community structure and function in regulating ecosystem carbon flow 

In collaboration with Aaron Ellison (Harvard), Nick Gotelli (UVt), and Nate Sanders (UT), we established an experiment to determine if observed changes in ecosystem processes can be accounted for directly by changes in faunal biodiversity, or if there is there a unique interaction between the loss of Hemlock trees and the compositional shifts in associated faunal assemblages.

The role of foundation species and faunal biodiversity in ecosystem structure and function

Climate change in pinyon-juniper woodlands

On a project lead by Melissa Cregger, we are collaborating with Nate McDowell (LANL) and Will Pockman (UNM) on a project at the Sevilleta LTER investigating how soil bacterial and fungal communities respond to experimental changes in precipitation and how they may also influence nutrient cycling and woodland transitions.

What controls fungal communities in decomposing logs?

On a project lead by Emily Austin, we are collaborating with Chris Schadt (ORNL) on a project investigating what factors structure lignocellulolytic fungal communities and how changes in those communities alter wood decomposition rates.