We have begun what will be a very busy summer! There are several students and researchers working in the lab this summer on several different projects. Here is a brief overview:
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| Soil restoration project at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve |
We are processing soil samples from an experiment testing methods to restore old mountain bike trails. Mountain biking might be fun, but it can have a hard impact on the soil. The soil along mountain bike trails becomes very compacted, making it difficult for plants to establish, and the constant action of the tires causes erosion. The McDowell Sonoran Field Institute is testing the best way to help restore old trails to be native desert. Coby is assisting with the soil sampling and analyses.
Elena and Matt are studying how different decomposer organisms influence plant leaf decomposition during composting. We made litterbags full of sycamore leaves, and each of the bags holding the leaves have different hole sizes. Some of the bags only let in microbial decomposers (like bacteria and fungi). Some of the bags let in very small invertebrates, like mites and nematodes. And some of the bags let in bigger invertebrates, like worms, beetle larvae, and termites. In this picture, Nikita and Paul are helping Matt bury the litterbags in the compost pile at Phoenix College's garden in downtown Phoenix. It's pretty rare for composters to think about invertebrates, but boy there's a lot of interesting critters living in that compost pile! At the end of the project, we will be able to show how important they are in the breakdown of the leaves as they turn into compost.
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| Sampling soil at the Salt River Rec Area in Tonto National Forest |
We are also continuing our work to investigate the impacts of nitrogen deposition from air pollution on soil ecosystems here in Phoenix. Our main project this summer is to see how that extra nitrogen influences soil microbial communities. We are sampling soil from parks inside and outside of Phoenix, and we will profile the microbial community living in the soil, as well as characterize the chemical and physical properties of the soil that provides the habitat for these microbes. In this photo, three students are helping with the soil sampling: Nikita and Miranda in front and Paul behind. Nikita is the student responsible for the work. (Paul and Miranda are helping out, but they actually have their own, separate project to work on!) Nikita will be posting to the blog throughout the summer about what she's doing and learning:
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| Meet Nikita! Here she's collecting a soil sample. |
Elena and Matt are studying how different decomposer organisms influence plant leaf decomposition during composting. We made litterbags full of sycamore leaves, and each of the bags holding the leaves have different hole sizes. Some of the bags only let in microbial decomposers (like bacteria and fungi). Some of the bags let in very small invertebrates, like mites and nematodes. And some of the bags let in bigger invertebrates, like worms, beetle larvae, and termites. In this picture, Nikita and Paul are helping Matt bury the litterbags in the compost pile at Phoenix College's garden in downtown Phoenix. It's pretty rare for composters to think about invertebrates, but boy there's a lot of interesting critters living in that compost pile! At the end of the project, we will be able to show how important they are in the breakdown of the leaves as they turn into compost.
