Predicting heat wave impacts on the stability of soil microbial communities (R-11911)

Soil microorganisms are important contributors to ecosystem processes such as mineralisation and pathogen control. In this project we want to investigate how these micro-organisms respond to (and recover from) heat waves, that are compound events of extreme drought and heat. We will do this by first measuring how a wide range of microbial species interact, under both normal and heat wave conditions. We will then use this information to build a mathematical model that predicts the effects of heat waves on soil communities and their stability. Comparing these predictions with experimental data will finally allow us to evaluate their accuracy.

Keywords:BIOREMEDIATION, CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF TOXICITY

Disciplines:Community ecology, Soil ecology, Metagenomics, Soil biology

Project type:Collaboration project