Community Ecology ¶

Head: Luiz Domeignoz Horta

We are interested in studying the mechanisms by which microorganisms and some members of soil fauna influence biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functioning. We are working across disciplines, combining molecular-level biology techniques, bioinformatics, stable isotopes, and soil biogeochemistry measurements, enabling us to better understand how biodiversity supports the functioning of ecosystems and if and how global change drivers can modify this relationship. 

We combine long-term monitoring of environmental gradients (e.g. altitude, precipitation, temperature) with field experiments as well as laboratory manipulations to disentangle the mechanisms by which biodiversity ensures soil processes important for nutrient cycling and carbon retention. Our integrative approach to soil science will strengthen our mechanistic understanding of soils and help us better understand how climate change and other global change drivers will influence biodiversity and soil functioning. Our goal is to provide the knowledge necessary to support strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.