Mercedes Ondik

Effects of fire and overgrazing on soil fertility and the restorative potential of native soil microbes post-degradation

In this project, I will be analysing measures of soil fertility, including soil carbon quantity and quality (carbon fractions) and microbial activity and community composition, in two dimensions: fire affected versus non-affected soils and natural bushland versus cleared agricultural soils.  I will then assess the effects of inoculation with native soil microbes on soil water retention, structural integrity, nutrient availability, carbon sequestration and plant growth.  The overarching goal of this project is to assess the effects of fire and overgrazing on soil fertility and the restorative potential of native soil microbes post-degradation.  The results of this project have implications in pre- and post-fire management in both agricultural and natural settings.

Supervisors:

• Mark Ooi
• Miriam Muñoz-Rojas

Publications  

Capponi, S., Stöffler, N., Irimia, M., Van Schaik, F., Ondik, M., Biniossek, M., Lehmann, L., Mitschke, J., Vermunt, M., Creyghton, M., Graybiel, A., Reinheckel, T., Schilling, O., Blencowe, B., Crittenden, J., & Timmers, H. (2020). Neuronal-specific microexon splicing of TAF1 mRNA is directly regulated by SRRM4/nSR100. RNA Biology, 17:1, 62-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2019.1667214