Full Title
Effects of inundation and grazing on floodplain soil carbon dynamics and microbial community structure
Student
Jessica MacGregor
Supervisors
Nick Klomp (Charles Sturt University), Darren Baldwin and Gavin Rees (MDFRC)
Funding Body
Charles Sturt University Postgraduate Research Studentship Award
Duration
completed August 2006
Outcomes
PhD (submitted)
Summary
Floodplains are recognised as being highly diverse ecosystems. While considerable effort has gone into investigations on vegetation, birds and macroinvertebrates, the diversity of microorganisms has received very little attention, even though it is widely accepted they are responsible for providing important ecosystem services.
This study has two main aims. The first is to compare soil health parameters on an unregulated river floodplain, examining areas of grazed pasture, grazed forest and ungrazed forest; and the second is to determine if cattle grazing impact the soils response to inundation. The research focuses on differences in microbial community structure and carbon dynamics.
Field sites on the Lower Ovens River floodplain at Peechelba have been used in this study. The project has two major components; a seasonal component and a laboratory based inundation experiment.
