Session: Symposium--Managing Plant-Soil-Microbe Partnerships for Soil Carbon Stabilization and Nutrient Cycling: From Genes to Landscapes

Title: Symposium--Managing Plant-Soil-Microbe Partnerships for Soil Carbon Stabilization and Nutrient Cycling: From Genes to Landscapes

Session Description: Belowground interactions among plants and microbes mediate fundamental biogeochemical processes responsible for soil and ecosystem health. Capitalizing on plant-microbe interactions that promote soil organic matter formation, carbon sequestration, and efficient nitrogen cycling may lead to sustainable and resilient ecosystems. Tradeoffs between short-term (nitrogen availability, acquisition) and long-term (C sequestration) benefits may be managed. We will examine how microbial, genetic, and field-scale management leads to plant-soil-microbe interactions affecting soil health and soil's sensitivity to change. We will address the "soil carbon dilemma" - how plant-microbial interactions promote short-term cycling of nutrients and long-term persistence of soil carbon.