Project Description
While much work has been done on the plant/herbivore interactions, much less in known about the direct and indirect interactions of grazers on the ability of soils to sequester carbon (C). C sequestration is an important ecological property of an intact ecosystem and also serves as an important process for the National Park Service because it can contribute to mediation of climate change. There is a tri-trophic interaction between plants, herbivores and soil microbes that regulates soil C. Microbes are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter with grasses and herbivores contributing to removals and inputs of C from the system. Using a combination of laboratory and field-based experiments we will analyze soil samples for microbial biomass and soil C, quantify net ecosystem productivity, and conduct laboratory soil incubations. This will be done in direct collaboration with the National Park Service Bison Ecology and Management team and interns from the Intertribal Buffalo Council. Our field and laboratory data will identify relationships and mechanisms about grassland carbon exchange that can be linked to broader scales within YNP and in other grassland ecosystems.
Prerequisites
BIOL 200 level or ENV 201
Special Comments
no
Project Information (subject to change)
Estimated Start Date: 6/08/2026
Estimated End Date: 7/31/2026
Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks
Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2
Research Location: Hybrid
Travel Required? Yes (If “yes”: Mid June to Yellowstone National Park)
Contact Information: Bill Hamilton (email: hamiltone@wlu.edu)