Sean Berthrong
Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences -LAS
Butler University
United States of America
Biography
Dr SEAN BERTHRONG is interested in research at the intersection of microbiology and ecology. He is main study is how bacteria and fungi influence ecological processes, and in turn how the environment affects the types of species present and the abundance of microbes. Most ofSean's work focuses on microbes living in soils, since soils are one of the most complex, but least well understood habitats in the world. In particular, He uses metagenomic approaches to study how different plant communities affect the balance of bacterial and fungal species in soils, and then how those microbes in turn support plant growth by supplying nutrients and stabilizing soil. If we better understand the connections between microbes, plants, and soils, we can use this knowledge to improve ecosystem health, sustainability, and usefulness to human society.
Research Interest
Microbial Ecology, Metagenomics, Biogeochemistry
Publications
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Berthrong ST, Finzi AC. Amino acid cycling in three cold-temperate forests of the northeastern USA. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006 May 31;38(5):861-9.
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Fierer N, Morse JL, Berthrong ST, Bernhardt ES, Jackson RB. Environmental controls on the landscapeâ€scale biogeography of stream bacterial communities. Ecology. 2007 Sep 1;88(9):2162-73.
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Berthrong ST, Jobbagy EG, Jackson RB. A global metaâ€analysis of soil exchangeable cations, pH, carbon, and nitrogen with afforestation. Ecological Applications. 2009 Dec 1;19(8):2228-41.
