Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory

Linking Soil Enzyme Activities to Ecosystem Functions

 

Type: Annual Meeting for the Soil Science Society of America
Date: Nov 1-5, 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Summary of the Symposium on “Linking Soil Enzyme Activities to Ecosystem Functions”

In an ecosystem, energy flows and elements cycle. These two main ecosystem functions are composed of a series of ecosystem processes that are governed predominantly by microorganisms through enzymatic activities. Although enzymes in the environment play key roles in nutrient cycling and energy flow, few studies have been directed to link soil enzyme activities to ecosystem functions. Therefore, Dr. Richard Dick from Ohio State University and Dr. Shiping Deng from Oklahoma State University organized a symposium on “linking soil enzyme activities to ecosystem functions”, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the 2009 Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) annual meeting. This symposium had two separate parts. Part I included 10 oral presentations with two focused sessions. Session one was on the ecology of soil enzymes, Dr. Matthew Wallenstein from Colorado State University was invited to lead this session. His presentation was titled “Recent Advancements in Understanding the Ecology of Soil Extracellular Enzymes”. In session two, discussions were focused on enzyme activity in organic matter decomposition and their responses to management practices. This session was led by Dr. Philip C. Brookes from The Rothamsted Research Institute in the United Kingdom with a presentation titled “The Mechanism of Mineralisation of Soil Organic Matter by the Soil Microbial Biomass – Introducing the ‘Regulatory Gate' Hypothesis”. Part II of the symposium included 11 poster presentations, with research emphasis ranging from assay methods, organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, to system levels evaluations from soil scientists, biochemist, biologist, to ecologist. As one of the two leading symposia for the Soil Biology and Biochemistry division of SSSA, this symposium convened scientists internationally recognized for their research on soil enzymology and ecosystem functions (1) to provide an interdisciplinary forum for disseminating recent advances in the fields of soil enzymology, (2) to promote communication among leading scientists; (3) to inspire young scientists to get involved in these research areas; and (4) to foster cross-communications and collaborations that can facilitate development of strategies for sustainable ecosystem management.