microbial community structure and function along environmental gradients

We are examining 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 as well as field and lab experiments to examine how microbial communities shift in composition and function (e.g., greenhouse gas production, nitrate removal, decomposition) under contemporary environmental stressors (e.g., drought, salinity).

Ongoing projects:
  • Salinization effects on microbial community assembly and nutrient cycling functions.​
  • Long-term fertilization and disturbance by mowing effects on plant-soil-microbial interactions at ECU's West Research Campus | Wetland EcoEx

restoring and managing ecosystem benefits in human-dominated landscapes

We are investigating how land use management influences microbial community structure and ecosystem functions. We use a combination of field and lab work to examine the influence of wetland management intensity on plant and microbial community composition and function (nitrogen removal, carbon sequestration). We are also investigating how the biotic and engineered components of urban stormwater processing interact to enhance nitrogen removal capacity.​

​Ongoing projects:
  • Overcoming agricultural legacy effects to enhance wetland microbial functions
  • Managing nitrogen removal functions in constructed stormwater wetlands
  • ​Examining how atmospheric, biological, and hydrological stressors impact human health vulnerability and natural capital hotspots in eastern North Carolina - visit ourNCwater Initiative

'micromanaging' plant-soil-microbial interactions for sustainable agriculture​

We are investigating how land use legacies influence soil microbial seed banks and contemporary specialty crop production. We use a combination of field surveys and laboratory experiments to test microbially mediated mechanisms contributing to plant health as a consequence of land use history.

Ongoing projects:
  • Effects of crop diversity on plant-soil-microbial interactions​
  • Microbial contributions to disease suppression in soils