Dean Horton
Ph.D. Candidate, Earth and Ecosystem Science
Wetlands are of unparalleled importance, as a wide plethora of ecosystem cycles (many of which directly influence greenhouse gases) are regulated within these systems. Additionally, wetlands provide a pollution buffer for lakes and other aquatic zones, especially the Great Lakes, which are one of the most valuable freshwater resources in the world. Through understanding microbial community structure and function within wetlands, we can more soundly understand exactly how wetlands respond to changing environmental conditions, as well as gain a fuller appreciation of biogeochemical cycling both locally and globally.
Biological community structure and function are directly linked to environmental conditions and ecosystem processes. With the eve of cutting-edge technology in molecular biological science, we have entered an age of exploration beyond measure to comprehend biological relationships at previously unprecedented depth. Through the use of genetic marker and -omics strategies, my research focuses on understanding dynamics between biological communities and the environment, with a current focus on microbes and elemental cycles in wetlands.