- INTERACTION OF MICROORGANISMS, MINERALS, NUTRIENTS AND SOIL ORGANIC MATTER -

webpage: https://suelosvolcanicos.ufro.cl

WHAT WE ARE DOING?

Our line of research is related to carbon sequestration and microbial interactions in extreme areas. The impact of the microbiome and its relationship with the biogeochemical cycles in temperate rainforest soils helps us understand the soil formation in an area with active vulcanisms. We study how microorganisms can tolerate climate change in aerobic and anaerobic environments and their mechanisms of mineral transformation. Much of our work is in pristine ecosystems as a natural laboratory without human influence. In this way, we can study the original processes how they are affected as the world becomes warmer. Our primary research lines are related to understanding soil carbon sequestration and microbial interaction in extreme zones.

We have studied different soils of the extensive Chilean territory; desert soils, forests, steppes, subpolar and polar territories. These soils allow us to detect characteristic patterns that are influenced by global warming and affect the biogeochemical cycles of the soil. We believe that pristine soils can be natural laboratories that we can use to predict future changes that will occur under the impact of climate change.

RESEARCH LINES:

Soil nutrient cycling / geomicrobiology / biogeochemistry /soil carbon sequestration /applied soil biology in forest and agricultural soils.