Our research explores the ways in which environmental changes influence the structure and function of plants and ecosystems.  We are mainly concerned with effects of global atmospheric carbon dioxide-enrichment, soil nitrogen deposition/fertilization, global warming, and changes in soil moisture that are likely to result from altered precipitation patterns.

Most recently, our research has focused on understanding how roots and their symbionts change in response to climate, plant carbon balance, soil nutrient availability, and different crop and forest management practices.  We are particularly interested in characterizing relationships between the smallest, most ephemeral roots (i.e., orders 1-3) and soil fungi (mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, and pathogenic).Understanding these relationships is critical for understanding soil biogeochemistry, productivity of natural and managed ecosystems, and global carbon and nitrogen cycling.