Microbial-Climate Change Feedbacks in ​
​Coupled Human and Natural Systems

Microbial Responses to Environmental Gradients

We study the response of microbial community structure and function across long-term nutrient gradients in terrestrial and aquatic systems. At coastal field sites, we also examine interaction of nutrient, carbon, and salinity gradients on microbial community structure and function. We use a combination of field observations, field and lab experiments, and modeling approaches to examine how microbial communities shift in composition and function (e.g., greenhouse gas production, nitrate removal, decomposition) under current and projected environmental stressors (e.g., drought, flooding, salinity). 

salinization of freshwater ecosystems

Salinization effects on microbial community assembly and nutrient cycling functions

Enhancing wetland restoration using a microbial management approach

nutrient feedbacks on carbon cycling

Long-term fertilization and disturbance interact to influence plant-microbe relationships at ECU's West Research Campus | Wetland EcoEx​

CAREER: Microbial controls on wetland carbon stabilization and storage
(NSF DEB #1845845)

microbial response to resource diversity

Biotic and engineered components of constructed wetlands interact to influence redox and carbon resources for microbes and a portfolio of ecosystem functions (biodiversity support, nitrogen removal, greenhouse gas production, flood control)

​Crop diversity effects on plant-soil-microbial interactions​

'Micro'managing Ecosystem Benefits in Human-Dominated Landscapes

We investigate how land use management influences microbial community structure and ecosystem functions. We use a combination of field, lab, and modeling approaches to examine how human and climate-induced environmental changes influence microbially controlled ecosystem services (e.g., water quality enhancement, carbon storage) and dis-services (e.g., water quality impairment, greenhouse gas production). 

managing agriculture in a saltier and stormier world

Using interdisciplinary approaches to understand how natural landscape features interact with the built environment to promote or decrease water quality in agriculturally dominated watersheds now and in the future

RUI: CNH2-L: An integrative analysis of perceptions, policy, and land use impact on coastal agricultural watershed resilience
(NSF CNH2 #2009185)

predicting hotspots of groundwater contamination

Examining how atmospheric, biological, and hydrological stressors influence human health vulnerability and natural capital hotspots in eastern North Carolina - visit ourNCwater Initiative

Predicting drinking water contamination from extreme weather to reduce early life contaminant exposures
(EPA STAR R840181)

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supporting environmental justice and building resilient communities

Collaborating with coastal communities to examine environmental issues and potential solutions using a community science approach

Focused CoPe: Supporting Environmental Justice in Connected Coastal Communities through a Regional Approach to Collaborative Community Science
(​NSF Coastlines & People #2052889)