Project
Identify the importance of microbiome predators in the litter decomposition process
Litter decomposition driven by microbial bacteria and fungi plays an important role in global carbon cycling. However the role of predation in affecting the microbiome-driven decomposition are unknown. Our goals are to unravel the composition and functioning of microbiome predators (protists and nematodes) in decomposition litter.
Litter decomposition driven mainly by bacteria and fungi is an important process in the global carbon cycle, which is impacted by environmental conditions and therefore by global change. Bacteria and fungi are not functioning in isolation but are part of a complex soil food-web, in which they are subject to predation by protists and nematodes. However, we have limited understanding of the diversity, composition and functional role of microbiome predators in decomposing litter under ambient and global change conditions.
I aim to increase knowledge on the composition, diversity and functional importance of microbiome predators in the process of litter decomposition. To do so I will:
- trace the succession pattern of predator communities and uncover predator-prey interactions during litter decomposition in a filed decomposition experiment.
- test if predator-prey combinations co-evolve throughout decomposition and perform their function more efficiently when originating from the same decomposition phase by manipulating predator-prey communities obtained from different decomposition phases (early and late).
- investigate if an increased predator diversity accelerates litter decomposition by manipulating predator species richness.
- decipher the impact of drought on the composition and functional role of predators during litter decomposition in a greenhouse experiment.