Soil microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa) play a vital role in nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter, making essential nutrients available to plants, contributing to soil structure and formation, and promoting carbon sequestration. Microorganisms also have impacts on plant and animal health through disease suppression, immune system activation, and pollution remediation. Additionally, close interaction between soil microbes and plants affects seed germination, establishment, and survival—and thus, overall plant diversity and ecological succession. Collectively, soil microbes shape ecosystem composition and dynamics, ultimately enhancing their resilience to environmental stressors such as drought and wildfire.
Although microbes are often overlooked, by identifying those involved in specific processes (e.g., pollutant degradation, nutrient acquisition for plants), managers can make better-informed decisions to maximize soil health. In restoration projects, soil microbes can be used to accelerate ecosystem recovery by optimizing conditions for target plant communities. In pest and disease management, microbial communities can be leveraged to reduce the need for chemical treatments. An emerging frontier, the manipulation of the soil microbial community to manage carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and overall ecosystem resilience is a crucial (but currently underused) tool for sustainable ecosystem management.
Data on the health of the Reserve’s soil microbes could be gathered based on biological, physical, and chemical characteristics. Typical procedures include collecting samples in the field, extracting DNA, and sequencing it to identify microbial organisms present. Specific protocols may vary depending on the research objectives, the type of soil, and the microbial groups of interest.
