Conservation & Ecological RestorationJaney Lienau

Organisms and mechanisms of whole soil inoculation for restoration in temperate forests

Northern red oak is a commercially and ecologically valuable tree species facing significant regeneration challenges in the northeastern United States, yet the role of belowground soil communities in driving this decline remains poorly understood. This project tests whether transplanting whole soil from mature, late-successional forests into recently harvested stands can improve red oak seedling establishment compared to commercial mycorrhizal inoculants and untreated controls. Using a field experiment with 80 plots at Yale-Myers Forest, the study tracks seedling growth alongside soil community composition, nutrient cycling, and decomposition rates to identify the mechanisms linking soil biodiversity to forest recovery. Findings will inform forest management strategies by determining the role of belowground restoration for rebuilding diverse and resilient temperate forests.

School: Yale School of the Environment