research

Soil organic matter dynamics

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a foundational component of healthy and resilient agroecosystems, influencing nutrient availability, water retention, soil structure, and carbon storage. Agricultural intensification and environmental stressors can accelerate SOM loss, reducing soil productivity and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. At PAL, we investigate the composition, function, and stability of SOM, as well as the ecological and biogeochemical processes through which management practices regulate SOM formation, transformation, and long-term persistence across agricultural systems. Our research integrates soil biology, biogeochemistry, and classical and emerging ecological theory to better understand the mechanisms controlling soil carbon dynamics and to develop management strategies that enhance long-term soil health and agroecosystem sustainability.

Microbial role in soil C cycling and soil health

Interactions among plants, soils, and microbial communities are fundamental drivers of ecosystem functioning and agricultural resilience. At PAL, we study how plant roots, soil properties, and microbial communities interact to influence belowground processes across agricultural systems. Our research focuses on rhizosphere ecology, microbial community assembly, root traits, and plant–microbe interactions under varying environmental and management conditions. By examining these interconnected systems, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that regulate soil health, nutrient acquisition, and ecosystem resilience. This work supports the development of management strategies that strengthen biological functioning and improve the sustainability of agroecosystems.

Reimagining farming

Embracing diversity and ecological management strategies to build resilient and multifaceted agroecosystems

Sustainable agriculture requires management strategies that balance productivity, environmental stewardship, and long-term agroecosystem resilience. At PAL, we evaluate how management practices, including cover cropping, diversified crop rotations, reduced tillage, organic management, and tile drainage systems, influence soil health, crop performance, and ecosystem functioning. Our research emphasizes the integration of ecological principles into agricultural management to improve resource use efficiency and enhance the resilience of farming systems under changing environmental conditions. Through field-based experiments and systems-level approaches, we aim to develop practical, science-based management strategies that support productive, environmentally sustainable, and multifunctional agroecosystems.

Connecting biogeochemical processes to ecosystem resilience and sustainable food systems

The movement and transformation of carbon, nitrogen, and other essential nutrients strongly influence agricultural productivity, environmental quality, and climate resilience across local to global scales. At PAL, we investigate how management practices, environmental conditions, and biological processes regulate nutrient dynamics and ecosystem functioning within agroecosystems. Our research integrates field data, large-scale datasets, biogeochemical modeling, and machine learning approaches to better understand soil carbon storage, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystem resilience. By connecting ecological processes with regional and global environmental change, we seek to advance predictive understanding of agroecosystem responses to climate and management while developing scalable solutions that support resilient food systems, environmental sustainability, and long-term planetary health.