Akshay Surendra
Disentangling the role of microbes from soils in driving habitat filtering in tree communities
Fellowship Year:
2020
2022
Degree:
PhD
Research Country:
Sri Lanka
Research Continent:
Asia
Abstract:
In this project, I am re-examining the well-recognized pattern of tree-habitat associations in tropical rainforests through the lens of biotic interactions. I will disaggregate the role of below-ground biotic drivers (soil microbes) from below-ground abiotic drivers (topography, soil nutrients and soil moisture) and test whether soil microbes exact costs or confer benefits to host plants differently across habitat types, over and above contributions from abiotic drivers alone. An improved understanding of biotic contributions to habitat filtering – something that is very poorly understood thus far – may have substantial downstream ramifications for the conservation, restoration, and management of forests world over.