The ecological and functional consequences of fire in heathlands
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Global fire regimes are changing, becoming more frequent and more severe. These changes irrevocably alter plant and soil communities, potentially
affecting important interactions between plants and symbiotic soil mutualists. Changing plant-soil mutualisms influence crucial ecosystem functions such
as nutrient cycling, soil carbon storage and plant growth, as well as above- and below-ground biodiversity. However, the effects of changing fire regimes on
plant-soil interactions remains a significant research gap.The project will undertake a comparative study of fire-plant-soil interactions in heathlands globally. In these systems, several major shrub taxa form specialised symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, but the effects of fire on these interactions are poorly understood.
affecting important interactions between plants and symbiotic soil mutualists. Changing plant-soil mutualisms influence crucial ecosystem functions such
as nutrient cycling, soil carbon storage and plant growth, as well as above- and below-ground biodiversity. However, the effects of changing fire regimes on
plant-soil interactions remains a significant research gap.The project will undertake a comparative study of fire-plant-soil interactions in heathlands globally. In these systems, several major shrub taxa form specialised symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, but the effects of fire on these interactions are poorly understood.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S00713X/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2028 | |||
| 2887531 | Studentship | NE/S00713X/1 | 01/10/2023 | 30/03/2027 | Andreina Bosch Fernandez |