*Listen to Colleen talk about roots in frozen soils on PRI's Science Friday.*

I am an ecosystem ecologist.

I use a variety of field and laboratory techniques to understand and predict how ecosystems are shaped by climatic change. Specifically, I work at the root-soil interface to investigate how atmospheric and climatic change alters belowground carbon and nutrient cycling. The ultimate goal of my research program is to improve our ability to predict ecosystem responses to environmental change and thus better inform policy decisions.
​
My research is generally focused on answering two questions: (1) How does environmental change alter the balance among nutrient limitation, ecosystem production, and carbon partitioning? (2) How do fine-root production and mortality affect soil carbon storage and nutrient cycling throughout the soil profile? My research questions broadly encompass ecosystems ranging from temperate forests to boreal peatlands to arctic tundra.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

- J. R. R. Tolkien