Soil abounds with life – and supports all life above it. But Australian soils need urgent repair

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Frew, Adam, Birnbaum, Christina, Egidi, Eleonora and Heuck, Meike Katharina. 2023. "Soil abounds with life – and supports all life above it. But Australian soils need urgent repair." The Conversation.

Article Title	Soil abounds with life – and supports all life above it. But Australian soils need urgent repair
Article Category	Blog
Authors	Frew, Adam, Birnbaum, Christina, Egidi, Eleonora and Heuck, Meike Katharina
Publication Title	The Conversation
Year	2023
Place of Publication	Australia
Web Address (URL)	https://theconversation.com/soil-abounds-with-life-and-supports-all-life-above-it-but-australian-soils-need-urgent-repair-187280
Contains Sensitive Content	Does not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020	410603. Soil biology
Byline Affiliations	University of Southern Queensland
	Western Sydney University

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Frew, Adam, Nielsen, Uffe N., Riegler, Markus and Johnson, Scott N.. 2013. "Do eucalypt plantation management practices create understory reservoirs of scarab beetle pests in the soil?" Forest Ecology and Management. 306, pp. 275-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.06.051

Host plant colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi stimulates immune function whereas high root silicon concentrations diminish growth in a soil-dwelling herbivore

Frew, Adam, Powell, Jeff R., Hiltpold, Ivan, Allsopp, Peter G., Sallam, Nader and Johnson, Scott N.. 2017. "Host plant colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi stimulates immune function whereas high root silicon concentrations diminish growth in a soil-dwelling herbivore." Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 112, pp. 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.05.008

Increased root herbivory under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations is reversed by silicon‐based plant defences

Frew, Adam, Allsopp, Peter G., Gherlenda, Andrew G. and Johnson, Scott N.. 2017. "Increased root herbivory under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations is reversed by silicon‐based plant defences." Journal of Applied Ecology. 54 (5), pp. 1310-1319. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12822

New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects

Johnson, Scott N., Benefer, Carly M., Frew, Adam, Griffiths, Bryan S., Hartley, Susan E., Karley, Alison J., Rasmann, Sergio, Schumann, Mario, Sonnemann, Illja and Robert, Christelle A. M.. 2016. "New frontiers in belowground ecology for plant protection from root-feeding insects." Applied Soil Ecology. 108, pp. 96-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2016.07.017

Trade-offs between silicon and phenolic defenses may explain enhanced performance of root herbivores on phenolic-rich plants

Frew, Adam, Powell, Jeff R., Sallam, Nader, Allsopp, Peter G. and Johnson, Scott N.. 2016. "Trade-offs between silicon and phenolic defenses may explain enhanced performance of root herbivores on phenolic-rich plants." Journal of Chemical Ecology. 42 (8), pp. 768-771. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-016-0734-7

The importance of testing multiple environmental factors in legume–insect research: replication, reviewers, and rebuttal

Johnson, Scott N., Gherlenda, Andrew N., Frew, Adam and Ryalls, James M. W.. 2016. "The importance of testing multiple environmental factors in legume–insect research: replication, reviewers, and rebuttal." Frontiers in Plant Science. 7 (489), pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00489

Belowground ecology of scarabs feeding on grass roots: current knowledge and future directions for management in Australasia

Frew, Adam, Barnett, Kirk, Nielsen, Uffe N., Riegler, Markus and Johnson, Scott N.. 2016. "Belowground ecology of scarabs feeding on grass roots: current knowledge and future directions for management in Australasia." Frontiers in Plant Science. 7 (321), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00321

Soil fungal responses to experimental warming and drying in a Mediterranean shrubland

Birnbaum, Christina, Hopkins, Anna J.M., Fontaine, Joseph B. and Enright, Enright. 2019. "Soil fungal responses to experimental warming and drying in a Mediterranean shrubland ." Science of the Total Environment. 683, pp. 524-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.222

We built a network of greenhouses and rain shelters to simulate what climate change will do to soils

Hopkins, Anna, Birnbaum, Christina, Fontaine, Joe and Enright, Neal. 2019. "We built a network of greenhouses and rain shelters to simulate what climate change will do to soils." The Conversation.

Digging deep for biodiversity

Birnbaum, C, Egidi, E and Singh, B. 2019. "Digging deep for biodiversity." Austral Ecology: a journal of ecology in the Southern Hemisphere. 44 (3), pp. 561-564. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12732

Symbiotic N2-Fixer Community Composition, but Not Diversity, Shifts in Nodules of a Single Host Legume Across a 2-Million-Year Dune Chronosequence

Birnbaum, Christina, Bissett, Andrew, Teste, Francois P. and Laliberte, Etienne. 2018. "Symbiotic N2-Fixer Community Composition, but Not Diversity, Shifts in Nodules of a Single Host Legume Across a 2-Million-Year Dune Chronosequence ." Microbial Ecology: an international journal. 76 (4), pp. 1009-1020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1185-1

Effect of plant root symbionts on performance of native woody species in competition with an invasive grass in multispecies microcosms

Birnbaum, Christina, Morald, Tim K., Tibbett, Mark, Bennett, Richard G. and Standish, Rachel J.. 2018. "Effect of plant root symbionts on performance of native woody species in competition with an invasive grass in multispecies microcosms ." Ecology and Evolution. 8 (17), pp. 8652-8664. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4397

Small size, huge value. Freshwater rock pools of the Kimberley

Cross, Adam, Barrett, Matthew, Barrett, Russell, Hopkins, Anna, Birnbaum, Christina, Burgess, Treena, Whiteley, Andy, Kumerasan, Deepak, Mucina, Ladislav, Merritt, David, Turner, Shane, Myers, Cecilia, Renton, Michael and Dixon, Kingsley. 2018. "Small size, huge value. Freshwater rock pools of the Kimberley." McGlashan, Hamish, Coate, Kevin, Gresham, Jeffrey and Hart, Roz (ed.) The natural world of the Kimberley. Australia. Kimberley Society . pp. 32-33

Effects of salinity and plant host on plant-microbe interactions in Louisiana coastal marshes

Kulick, Danielle, Willis, Claire, Birnbaum, Christina, Ducat, Caitlin, Farrer, Emily and Donnell, Isabella. 2018. "Effects of salinity and plant host on plant-microbe interactions in Louisiana coastal marshes." 2018 Conference of the Ecological Society of America (ESA 2018). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 05 - 10 Aug 2018 United States.

Extreme salinity fluctuations and invasion by Phragmites australis in wetland ecosystems

Waryszak, Pawel, Birnbaum, Christina and Farrer, Emily. 2018. "Extreme salinity fluctuations and invasion by Phragmites australis in wetland ecosystems." 2018 Conference of the Ecological Society of America (ESA 2018). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States 05 - 10 Aug 2018 United States.

Abundance and richness of fungal endophytes from scale-infected and uninfected reed (Phragmites australis)

Cunningham, A., Birnbaum, C., Ducat, C., Kulick, N.K. and Farrer, E.C.. 2018. "Abundance and richness of fungal endophytes from scale-infected and uninfected reed (Phragmites australis)." Centre for Engaged Learning and Teaching Student Poster Day, Tulane University . New Orleans, Lousiana, United States

Topsoil Stockpiling in Restoration: Impact of Storage Time on Plant Growth and Symbiotic Soil Biota

Birnbaum, Christina, Bradshaw, Laura Elizabeth, Ruthrof, Katinka Xoliswa and Fontaine, Joseph Benjamin. 2017. "Topsoil Stockpiling in Restoration: Impact of Storage Time on Plant Growth and Symbiotic Soil Biota ." Ecological Restoration. 35 (3), pp. 237-245. https://doi.org/10.3368/er.35.3.237

Vegetation dynamics of rapidly declining coastal wetlands: the role of cosmopolitan reed grass Phragmites australis in the Gulf Coast.

Birnbaum, C., Waryszak, P. and Farrer, E.C.. 2017. "Vegetation dynamics of rapidly declining coastal wetlands: the role of cosmopolitan reed grass Phragmites australis in the Gulf Coast." British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2017. Ghent, Belgium

Vegetation dynamics in rapidly declining Louisiana coastal wetlands: The role of cosmopolitan reed grass Phragmites australis

Birnbaum, Christina, Waryszak, Pawel and Farrer, Emily. 2017. "Vegetation dynamics in rapidly declining Louisiana coastal wetlands: The role of cosmopolitan reed grass Phragmites australis." 2017 Conference of the Ecological Society of America (ESA 2017). Portland, Oregon, United States 06 - 11 Aug 2017 United States.

Nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities in invasive legume nodules and associated soils are similar across introduced and native range populations in Australia

Birnbaum, Christina, Bissett, Andrew, Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2016. "Nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities in invasive legume nodules and associated soils are similar across introduced and native range populations in Australia ." Journal of Biogeography. 43 (8), pp. 1631-1644. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12752

Experimental warming alters rhizosphere fungal composition of two dominant shrubs in Mediterranean-type ecosystem

Birnbaum, Christina, Hopkins, Anna, Fontaine, Joe and Enright, Neal. 2016. "Experimental warming alters rhizosphere fungal composition of two dominant shrubs in Mediterranean-type ecosystem." 59th Annual Symposium of the International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVSD 2016). Pirenopolis, Brazil 12 - 17 Jun 2016 Brazil.

Sequential Disturbance Effects of Hailstorm and Fire on Vegetation in a Mediterranean-Type Ecosystem

Gower, K., Fontaine, J.B., Birnbaum, C. and Enright, N.J.. 2015. "Sequential Disturbance Effects of Hailstorm and Fire on Vegetation in a Mediterranean-Type Ecosystem ." Ecosystems. 18 (7), pp. 1121-1134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-015-9886-5

Regeneration failure threatens persistence of Persoonia elliptica (Proteaceae) in Western Australian jarrah forests

Nield, Andrew P., Monaco, Sophie, Birnbaum, Christina and Enright, Neal J.. 2015. "Regeneration failure threatens persistence of Persoonia elliptica (Proteaceae) in Western Australian jarrah forests ." Plant Ecology. 216 (2), pp. 189-198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-014-0427-7

Does topsoil age affect plant growth and symbiotic root microbiota?

Birnbaum, Christina, Bradshaw, Laura Elizabeth, Fontaine, Joseph B. and Ruthrof, Katinka Xoliswa. 2015. "Does topsoil age affect plant growth and symbiotic root microbiota?" 2015 Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA 2015). Adelaide, Australia 29 Nov - 03 Dec 2015

Invasive legumes encounter similar soil fungal communities in their non-native and native ranges in Australia

Birnbaum, Christina, Bissett, Andrew, Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2014. "Invasive legumes encounter similar soil fungal communities in their non-native and native ranges in Australia ." Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 76, pp. 210-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.05.017

Making nature whole: a history of ecological restoration (The science and practice of ecological restoration series) by William R. Jordan and George M. Lubick

Birnbaum, Christina. 2014. "Making nature whole: a history of ecological restoration (The science and practice of ecological restoration series) by William R. Jordan and George M. Lubick." Ecological Management and Restoration. 15 (3), pp. e11-e11. https://doi.org/10.1111/emr.12122

Do soil microbes drive Acacia species invasion in non-native ranges in Australia?

Birnbaum, Christina and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2014. "Do soil microbes drive Acacia species invasion in non-native ranges in Australia? " 57th Annual Symposium of the International Association for Vegetation Science (IAVSD 2014). Perth, Australia 01 - 05 Sep 2014 Australia.

Do soil microbes matter in plant invasions? A case study from Australia on five acacias and their associated soil microbial communities across non-native and native range populations.

Birnbaum, C.. 2014. "Do soil microbes matter in plant invasions? A case study from Australia on five acacias and their associated soil microbial communities across non-native and native range populations." 4th International Symposium on Weeds and Invasive Plants. Montpellier, France 19 - 23 May 2014

Plant-soil feedbacks do not explain invasion success of Acacia species in introduced range populations in Australia

Birnbaum, C. and Leishman, M. R.. 2013. "Plant-soil feedbacks do not explain invasion success of Acacia species in introduced range populations in Australia ." Biological Invasions. 15 (12), pp. 2609-2625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0478-z

Specialists or generalists? Nitrogen fixing bacterial communities of invasive acacias in Australia

Birnbaum, Christina, Bissett, Andrew, Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2013. "Specialists or generalists? Nitrogen fixing bacterial communities of invasive acacias in Australia." 2013 Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA 2013). Auckland, New Zealand 24 - 29 Nov 2013

NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Ondatra zibethicus

Birnbaum, Christina. 2013. NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Ondatra zibethicus. European Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS).

NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Neovison vison

Birnbaum, Christina. 2013. NOBANIS – Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet – Neovison vison. European Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS).

Mutualisms are not constraining cross-continental invasion success of Acacia species within Australia

Birnbaum, Christina, Barrett, Luke G., Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2012. "Mutualisms are not constraining cross-continental invasion success of Acacia species within Australia ." Diversity and Distributions. 18 (10), pp. 962-976. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00920.x

Cross-continental study on invasive Acacias in Australia: role of plant-soil feedbacks

Birnbaum, Christina and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2011. "Cross-continental study on invasive Acacias in Australia: role of plant-soil feedbacks." 2011 Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA 2011). Hobart, Australia 21 - 25 Nov 2011 Ecological Society of Australia.

Role of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the invasion success of Australian Acacias

Birnbaum, Christina, Barrett, Luke G., Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle R.. 2011. "Role of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the invasion success of Australian Acacias." 11th International Conference on the Ecology and Management of Alien Plant Invasions (EMAPi 2011). Szombathely, Hungary 30 Aug - 03 Sep 2011 Hungary.

Zippy escapee from fur farms

Birnbaum, Alien Invaders: Invasive Plants and Animals in Europe. 2011. "Zippy escapee from fur farms." Wolfgang Nentwig (ed.) Alien Invaders: Invasive Plants and Animals in Europe. Switzerland. pp. 173-180

NOBANIS–Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet–Dreissena polymorpha

Birnbaum, Christina. 2011. NOBANIS–Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet–Dreissena polymorpha. European Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS).

More is better? Rhizobial abundance and importance in invasion success of Acacias in Australia

Birnbaum, Christina, Thrall, Peter H. and Leishman, Michelle Ruth. 2010. "More is better? Rhizobial abundance and importance in invasion success of Acacias in Australia." 2010 Conference of the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA 2010). Canberra, Australia 06 - 10 Dec 2010 Australia. Ecological Society of Australia.