Doyn Kellerhals, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Springfield, presented her research on the bacteria that decompose leaves of silver maple trees. Bacteria are very difficult to tell apart until they are examined at a DNA level.
She is learning that bacterial communities change as leaves break down. And different bacteria are at work in different habitats.
Kellerhals reminded the audience that the small things really do matter.
“I really like talking about the fish and the ducks, but this is where it all starts.”
Kellerhals was featured in a March 5, 2010, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20100305-SJR-Emiquon-progress.pdf
