Studying the role of microbial communities in ecosystem functioning and sustainability
in the Trent School of the Environment (TSE)
Welcome to the Agricultural Soil Health (ASH) Lab, a soil research group led by Dr. Karen Thompson, Associate Professor in the
Trent School of the Environment (TSE) at Trent University in Peterborough, Canada.
About Us
Microbial communities mediate water quality, greenhouse gas fluxes, plant growth, and carbon and nutrient cycling in the soil system. They are keystone players in soil health and in the promotion of ecosystem goods and services. Healthy soils form the base of sustainable agricultural production systems, contributing to local and global food security. To improve soil health while decreasing the negative impacts of our land management, a better understanding of soil-microbe-plant interactions is required.
Our main research interests involve assessing the role of microbial communities in ecosystem functioning and assessing the impacts of climate change and agricultural management on soil health, soil carbon, and nutrient dynamics. Our research group uses a variety of biogeochemical, isotopic, and molecular methods to assess soil health metrics and the functional and taxonomic abundance, potential activity, and diversity of soil microbial communities in relation to anthropogenic changes within natural and agricultural systems. We focus on improving soil health as a means to better protect Canada’s valuable natural resources while improving food security.
Lab News
With the school year just around the corner, the ASH group took time from a busy field season to celebrate our successes together enjoying some bowling, apps, and good conversation!
We are looking forward to an exciting fall semester together!
-ASH LAB
(Pic from August 2024 end-of-summer social)
A little late in posting this, but thanks to the ASH group for celebrating our successes together, and making it through 2021 in good spirits!
I look forward to working together in 2022! - K.A.T.
(Pic from Dec 2021 end-of-term social)
Two ASH Lab Members Receive Scholarships from the East Central Region Soil and Crop Improvement Association!
Congratulations to Kaileigh Wright and Mykhailo Rangaiev, who both received scholarships from the EC-OSCIA chapter, based on their academic performance, leadership, contribution to community, and dedicaiton to conservation and environmental sustainability! Great work!
Welcome new ASH/ENIGMA Lab MScs!
Welcome to our new and incoming MSc students to the ASH and ENIGMA labs. We are thrilled to welcome a new cohort of bright young minds to learn with us through applied and discovery-based research!
May 2021 - Ridmani Kualarthne and Roshelle Chan
September 2021 - Ruby Wetzl and Oshadhi Ranasinghe
Jaunary 2022 - Minh Duong
Congratulations to ASH Lab Award Winners!
Mykhailo Rangaiev - TSE Internship Award
Kaileigh Wright - TSE Internship Award
Ruby Wetzl - NSERC-USRA Award