Agroecology Lab
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Steven J. FontePh.D. student
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EDUCATION
Ph.D. Ecology, University of California, Davis. Expected June 2009.
M.S. Forest Science, Oregon State University. 2003.
B.S. Environmental and Resource Sciences, University of California, Davis. 1998.
Minor: Geology; Mathematics.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research focuses on the role of management and soil fauna in determining soil organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. This work addresses several basic questions. First, how do management practices affect soil faunal activity and diversity? What role do fauna play in governing soil structure, C storage, and nutrient availability? In addition, I am curious as to how biodiversity (or complexity) affects ecosystem function and the sustainability of agricultural systems? My work focuses primarily on earthworms and examines interactions between their activity and nutrient inputs (i.e. green manures, mineral fertilizers, and crop residues). Ultimately, I hope for my work to contribute to a more ecologically based fertility management in agroecosystems, both increasing long-term food security and safeguarding environmental integrity of the landscapes in which these systems reside.
More specifically I’m interested in how earthworms and residue inputs interact to affect.
On a basic level my research concerns linkages between ecosystem complexity and function. I feel that a better understanding of such relationships will further our ability to manage ecosystems in a more sustainable manner. In order to examine these relationships my work looks at the role of management and soil fauna in determining soil organic matter dynamics and soil fertility in agricultural systems. More specifically examines how earthworms and residue inputs interact to affect soil structure, C storage, as well as N and P availability.
These interests have led to my work in the Quesungual agroforestry system of western Honduras – a unique alternative to traditional slash-and-burn agriculture which retains native trees intermixed with crops to both stabilize soils and provide a source of nutrients via litter inputs. In addition to greatly improving food security in this mountainous region, the Quesungual system is unique due to a diverse mix of crop, tree, and fertilizer inputs, resulting in large populations of soil macrofauna, most notably earthworms.