Soil Biogeochemistry

In the Berhe soil biogeochemistry research group @ UC Merced, our work generally aims to improve our understanding of the fundamental processes that regulate biogeochemical cycles of essential elements in soil – including dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) and the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) from soil to the atmosphere. The overall goal of our research program is to improve our understanding of mechanisms that regulate organic matter (OM) persistence in the soil system and the role of the soil system in maintaining the earth’s climate. Specifically, our research projects have focused on the effect of physical perturbations in the environment on SOM dynamics. Our work has been notable in the integration of biogeochemical and geomorphological approaches to derive an improved representation of mechanisms that regulate organic matter (OM) storage and persistence in the soil system.