University of Idaho Receives $ 18.9 Million for Deep Soil Research Facility

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MOSCOW, Idaho – September 28, 2021 – University of Idaho researchers are building, with support from a National Science Foundation grant of $ 18.9 million

The Deep Soil Ecotron will enable scientists to carry out experiments on soil columns up to three meters deep. To study soils, scientists currently often dig pits that destroy the soil systems when they are exposed. Also, most of the research only covers the top 30 centimeters (about a foot) of the soil. There’s a lot to learn if you go deeper, said Michael Strickland, the project’s lead researcher.

“Deep soils are likely one of the final frontiers of research,” said Strickland, an associate professor of microbial ecology at U of I. “Soils are naturally important to life on the planet, from supporting plants to processes like Carbon and nutrient cycle, but much research has focused on the surface. This facility would enable us to better understand these processes in depth. “

When completed, the Deep Soil Ecotron will contain up to 24 “eco-units”, essentially giant pillars used to study soil cores containing aboveground plants and subterranean organisms such as insects and microbes. Researchers will be able to control a number of variables, including temperature, water, and exposure to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The Ecotron will be housed in the university’s JW Martin laboratory, and the renovation is scheduled to begin in spring 2022.

There are only 13 institutions of this type in the world, most of them in Europe. Neither will reach the ground depths planned at U of I, and the new Ecotron will give scientists more opportunities to monitor and manipulate the eco-units for controlled experiments.

Co-lead researcher Zachary Kayler, who conducted experiments at Ecotron in France, said the U of I Deep Soil Ecotron will be a resource not just for the region but for scientists across the country and around the world.

“This facility will represent a major advancement in our understanding of soil and terrestrial ecosystems – at the space and deep-sea exploration level after similar investments,” said Kayler, assistant professor of biogeochemistry at the University of I. “We are facing a time of uncertainty . We do not know where the climate trends are going and we cannot prepare ourselves with knowledge of the past. This facility will enable us to conduct experiments that will help us plan for these future environmental conditions. “

Studies conducted at Ecotron will improve understanding of how deep-lying soil organisms respond to unprecedented conditions, how soil systems respond to agricultural practices, and how well they store carbon. A range of soils can be studied, from loess from the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington to soils from the tropics. The eco units are also used to develop sensors to monitor deep soils in the field.

This facility makes Idaho a world leader in deep soil exploration, said Chris Nomura, U of I vice president of research and economic development.

“The Deep Soil Ecotron is truly a globally unique asset that allows researchers to develop new types of experiments and ask questions that could not be explored before,” said Nomura.

During his time at the U of I, the Deep Soil Ecotron has a number of associates, including scientists from the University of Colorado, the University of Delaware, the University of Hawaii, North Dakota State University, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the University of Wyoming. Most of these institutions are part of EPSCoR, the NSF’s program to promote competitive research in historically underfunded countries. One of the project goals is to build a national network of scientists based on these partners who will carry out experiments at the new facility.

U of I researchers are planning workshops for interested scientists so that the experiments can begin as soon as the facility is built. They will also begin recruiting PhD students into a project management training program that aims to teach future scientists how to build and operate research facilities like this one.

This project was funded by the Regents of the University of Idaho by the National Science Foundation under award 2131837. Total project funding approved is $ 75,000, 100% of which is federal. The estimated funding amount for FFY21 is $ 8,500,000 and the expected total funding approval is $ 18,950,955.

Media contact

Michael Strickland
U of I College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Associate Professor of Microbial Ecology
208-885-0960
[email protected]

Zachary Kayler
U of I College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Assistant Professor of Biogeochemistry
208-885-5616
[email protected]

Carly Schöpflin
U of I College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Director, Communication and Strategic Initiatives
208-885-4037
[email protected]

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