Plant-Soil Interactions

Researchers in the Plant-Soil Interactions group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory explore the complex interactions between plants, soil microorganisms, and their surrounding environments — interactions that profoundly influence ecosystem functions in biomes ranging from the tundra to the tropics and in locations ranging from coastal wetlands to upland forests. By exploring these hidden belowground networks, the group sheds light on the intricate processes governing critical ecosystem processes, from soil biogeochemical cycling to the distribution of plant species across the landscape, and their responses to dynamic environmental conditions. Their work contributes significantly to the broader ecological community, providing critical insights into how hidden belowground ecosystems shape and sustain life aboveground.

Central to the group’s research approach is the integration of diverse scientific disciplines, combining expertise in ecology, microbiology, soil science, biogeochemistry, remote sensing, and computational modeling. Scientists employ cutting-edge experimental methods, sophisticated analytical tools, and innovative modeling frameworks to comprehensively study the plant-soil interface. This integrated approach enables detailed exploration of how plant species are distributed across the landscape, how plant roots interact with soil microorganisms, how these organisms transform nutrients and organic matter, and how changing environmental conditions from rain and snowfall, seasonality, temperature, and land use change influence these dynamics.

The team leverages observational gradients, large-scale experimental manipulations, and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities that replicate natural environments, enabling researchers to closely observe and manipulate belowground processes. Advanced techniques, such as remote-sensing, high-resolution imaging, metagenomics, and isotopic tracing, reveal detailed insights into microbial communities and plant responses. These empirical observations are then coupled with powerful computational models and artificial intelligence, allowing scientists to simulate and predict how ecosystems respond to changing conditions.

By understanding these plant-microbial interactions at multiple scales — from microscopic soil communities to entire ecosystems — the group generates foundational knowledge that allows predictions of the form and function of ecosystems across space and over time. Their work directly supports better predictions of how ecosystems will respond to changing environmental conditions, such as thawing permafrost, shifting precipitation patterns, land use changes, and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.