Project R-11911

Predicting heat wave impacts on the stability of soil microbial communities (Research)

Soil microorganisms are important contributors to ecosystem processes such as mineralisation and pathogen control. In this project we want to investigate how these micro-organisms respond to (and recover from) heat waves, that are compound events of extreme drought and heat. We will do this by first measuring how a wide range of microbial species interact, under both normal and heat wave conditions. We will then use this information to build a mathematical model that predicts the effects of heat waves on soil communities and their stability. Comparing these predictions with experimental data will finally allow us to evaluate their accuracy.

01 October 2021 - 30 September 2025