.dissertation.research

The manner in which soil microbial communities contribute to the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM), which is important for biogeochemical cycling and soil fertility, is a micro-scale process that has important implications for ecosystems as a whole.   Changing land use has potential to impede upon this process by altering soil microbial communities and the way in which they function.   This can profoundly affect how organic matter becomes stabilized in soils.   However, we know little about soil microbial community structure, and our knowledge is further limited when addressing how differences in microbial community structure impacts soil carbon stabilization.   Thus, my research questions are:

• How do microbial communities respond to changes in land use? Are there changes in community structure and activity?

• How do potential changes in the structure of soil microbial communities and their activity affect decomposition and soil organic matter stabilization?