PhD defence

Soil Lessons from Restored Atlantic Forest

PhD candidate LF (Luis Fernando) Merloti
Promotor prof.dr.ir. WH (Wim) van der Putten
External promotor prof.dr. Tsai Siu Mui (Cena-USP | Brazil)
External copromotor Lucas William Mendes (Cena-USP | Brazil)
Organisation Wageningen University, Laboratory of Nematology
Date

Wed 2 July 2025 15:30 to 17:00

Venue Omnia, building number 105
Hoge Steeg 2
6708 PH Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 484500
Room Auditorium

Summary

Healthy soils are essential for restoring forests and fighting climate change. In my research, I studied how different methods of replanting and regenerating forests in Brazil affect the recovery of soil life and functions. I looked at how soil microbes, nutrients, and greenhouse gases change over time in restored forests soils, and how the distance to old, untouched forests influences this recovery. I found that helping nature to regenerate on its own can lead to healthier soils, especially in areas that weren’t heavily damaged. These restored forest soils store more carbon and support more biodiversity. My work shows that if we want forest to grow back strong and resilient, paying attention to what happens below ground is just as important as planting trees above ground.