Ammophila breviligulata, commonly referred to as American beachgrass, is considered an important architect of barrier islands and other coastal environments. One of its key ecological roles is to colonize and trap sand in order to promote the formation of dunes that offer protection to these ecosystems. When severe storms dramatically change the topography of coastlines, restoration efforts often focus on replanting beachgrass. However, many of these efforts are not successful due to a wide variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Microbes in terrestrial environments have intimate positive and negativeinteractions with plants, while playing a key role in nutrient cycling and chemical modifications of these environments. This talk will identify and discuss specific microbiome-beachgrass interactions that could be promoted in the wild and local coastal communities for successful replanting efforts and healthier ecosystems.
Javier Izquierdo is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Hofstra University. His laboratory examines how plant-associated microbiomes promote plant health and how microbes can help produce the biofuels of tomorrow.