“Soil Microorganisms as Precursors and Mediators of Soil Carbon Stabilization”
Introduction by Professor Mary Firestone
In terrestrial ecosystems, microbial processes are central to the stabilization of soil organic matter (SOM). Microbial bodies themselves likely serve as precursors of SOM. My research explores the stability and fate of microbial cell materials by following added microbial cell C into the living microbial biomass and three operationally-defined stabilized organic matter products in two different soil ecosystems. The influences of climate and edaphic ecosystem properties on SOM distribution were also examined.
I would like to thank all the members of the Firestone lab for all their help, especially that of my advisor, Mary Firestone and our lab manager, Don Herman.