In forests, changes in the soil microbial, chemical and physical attributes can accumulate over the tree's lifetime and shape the regeneration of tree seedlings. Our lab couples greenhouse and field experiments to understand the role of these feedbacks on forest community dynamics. We are interested in feedbacks between plants and their soil microbial community and the impact that these feedbacks can have on maintenance of species diversity, migrant colonization potential in response to global climate change and invasion by non-native tree species. We also investigate how abiotic factors (e.g., light and soil resources), tree species functional traits and the interaction between abiotic factors and functional traits can affect the occurrence or strength of these feedbacks. 

We welcome new collaborations as we seek to understand PSF across contrasting forest community types.