Date of Award

Spring 1-1-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Forestry and Environmental Studies

First Advisor

Bradford, Mark

Abstract

Microorganisms play a vital role in carbon cycling, driving the decomposition and transformation of organic matter (OM) in soils. This dissertation examines how both broad climatic and local factors shape microbial communities and influence organic matter decomposition. Through a combination of microcosm and field experiments, I demonstrate that local conditions like soil moisture, depth and plant identity impact microbial function, although these effects can be masked by broader climatic influences. I also investigate how the ericoid shrub, Kalmia latifolia, differentially affects fungal communities under arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal trees. Finally, integrating results from multiple forest sites in the eastern US, I show that understanding nested abiotic controls on microbial community composition and function is crucial for accurate biogeochemical modeling. My research underscores the necessity of empirical microbial data for refining process-based models, improving their reliability in forecasting carbon cycling and informing sustainable environmental management and policy.

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