Plant-soil interactions in the Arctic
Plant-derived carbon can reside for a long time in soil. What will happen to this carbon now that the Arctic warming rapidly? While there be more carbon stored due faster plants growth under warmer conditions, this might also stimulate more microbial activity. This consequently decomposes more soil organic matter, causing a release of CO2 to the atmosphere. In the Arctic region we know relatively little about the the interaction between plants and their soils. In the ERC project 'PRIMETIME' which is by Dr. Birgit Wild, I am investigating plant-soil interactions for various vegetation types in the Canadian Arctic.
Thawing permafrost
Northern subsoils that have been permanently frozen are now rapidly thawing! What will happen to the organic matter as microorganisms migrate towards or revive in the thawed soils? I've been part of research projects that have looked at the microbial responses after initial thaw, as well as long term responses of thawed permafrost in e.g. lakes or terrestial permafrost submerged below the seafloor.
Temperature adaptation of bacteria
Bacteria grow faster or slower depending on the temperature. Will warming increase microbial activity in soils? And will this increase in activity remain for a long time? In my Ph.D. project, I studied the temperature adapation of bacterial communities in Arctic soils. I found that these bacteria were adapted to lower temperatures, but long term exposureto high temperature changes how the communities respond to temperature.
