Because native prairie soils are highly fertile, most grasslands, including the Palouse prairie of Eastern Washington, have been converted to agriculture, leading to a reduction of biodiversity and function of these landscapes. Although conservation efforts to protect prairie remnants are increasing, conservation alone will not be able to restore the biodiversity and ecosystem services that have already been lost. Thus, active restoration efforts are necessary to re-establish the diversity and ecological function of native prairies. This presentation will show how different plant species (e.g., native and non-native plants) respond to soil microbial inoculations in greenhouse and field studies. The goal of this work is to inform restoration efforts in landscapes where the native soil communities have been disrupted.

Presented by: Dr. Tanya Cheeke, Assistant Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University

Dr. Tanya Cheeke is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at WSU. Her research program focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant-microbial interactions, particularly within the context of changing environments (e.g., disturbance, biological invasions). She studies group of microorganisms in the plant-associated microbiome called mycorrhizal fungi, which form symbiotic relationships with plant roots and are known for enhancing plant growth and tolerance to stress. Her lab at WSU is currently examining whether plant-associated microbiomes can be tailored to improve plant productivity and resilience in both natural and agroecosystems.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar. 
When: Mar 3, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) 
Topic: Columbia Basin Chapter: Evaluating the Role of Soil Microbes in Ecological Restoration

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M3RgBM1cSEaRTyg39ndWmQ 


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This program will be recording and posted on the wnps.org website for future viewing.

Photo Credit: Maegan Murray of WSU