Research
Soil Microbial Ecology
Our lab aims to characterize soil microbial community diversity and function, and to assess the impact of agriculture practices on soil microbial ecosystems. We investigate microbial interactions, and also relations between microorganisms and the soil physical-chemical environment or other soil biota, aiming to study in-depth the relations and interactions of organisms that belong to different levels of the soil food web.
Soil nematode community ecology
We aim to study the taxonomic and functional diversity of nematodes in soil food webs and unravel their role in multitrophic interactions, including connections with aboveground organisms. The fast response of nematode assemblages to environmental changes (anthropogenic or natural) have converted the nematode community into a key indicator on the evaluation of soil health and quality in agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Ecology of soil enzymes
Our goal is to link soil enzyme activities to ecosystem functions. Research on soil enzymes provides insights into the biogeochemical cycling of N, C and P as well as on microbial community functions in space and time.
Projects
- The effect of botanicals with nematicidal activity on soil microbial and free-living nematode communities
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation mediated changes in rhizosphere microbial community structure
- Monitoring the effect of irrigation with sewage treated wastewater on soil communities
- Exploring the below-ground microbial diversity in soil biological crust ecosystems
- Fire impacts on forest soil microbial and nematode diversity and functionality
- Spent coffee grounds by-products and their influence on soil food web dynamics
- Effects of nitrification inhibitor on urea-based fertilizers, N dynamics and microbial functional genes