Microbial responses to altered water table depth in Alaskan tundra and The role of Iron and Humic Substances in anaerobic respiration in Arctic soils
This pair of projects, based in Barrow, Alaska, examine different aspects of microbial decomposition of the mosses of the Arctic tundra. In collaboration with Dr. Oechel and researchers from Florida International University and the University of Texas El Paso, Dr. Lipson has been involved in the manipulation of the water table in a large basin to determine how this effects many important ecosystem processes, including the responses of the soil microbial community to increases in both drying and flooding.
Separately, collaborating with researchers at Stanford and Cornell Universities, Dr. Lipson is leading a study that examines a previously unexplored pathway by which microbes use iron and plant-derived humic substances in the soil to break down arctic peat mosses.
Effects of invasive plant species and fire on microbial communities and soil processes in coastal sage scrub
Coastal sage scrub is a vegetation community type this is endemic to Southern California, and home to over 100 rare, threatened and endangered taxa of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Lipson lab is home to multiple related projects that investigate how changes in the plant community due to invasion by exotic species and changes to the fire cycle are affecting soil microbes, and how they alter the cycling and availability of carbon, nitrogen and water. These changes can create a feedback effect, creating strong impacts on the native vegetation.
For more information or to join this internship please contact Dr David Lipson