Increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses like methane are altering the global climate, causing catastrophic wildfires, storm events, and drought. This proposal targets microbial methane production in freshwater wetland soils, as this production is the largest natural source of methane. Results from this proposal can improve greenhouse gas predictions across the globe. Additionally, this research will provide data on microbial nutrient cycling in a wetland adjacent to Lake Erie, information that could provide a new perspective on the controllers of Great Lake algal blooms.
Proposer: Kelly Wrighton, Colorado State University
Proposal: From genomes to updated biogeochemical models: Targeting critical knowledge gaps in methanogenesis from soil systems