Dr. Amy Treonis

Assistant Professor of Biology
A-208 Gottwald Science Center
Office: (804) 287-6493
Fax: (804) 289-8233

http://facultystaff.richmond.edu/~atreonis/

Research:
Soil ecology is the study of the organisms that live below ground, interacting with plants, each other, and their environment. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes are all microscopic soil organisms that play important roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling. These organisms also are incredibly diverse, and a handful of soil can contain hundreds of different species. The use of molecular, microscopic, and stable isotope techniques allows soil ecologists to study the unseen life in the soil and understand the world beneath our feet. Dr. Treonis currently is studying nematode and microbial ecology in arid ecosystems (the Mojave Desert) and at regional field sites (granite rock outcrops of the Piedmont region).

Education:
Ph.D., Colorado State University

Selected Publications:
Treonis AM, Cook R, Grayston SJ, Dawson LA, T Mizen.  2007.  Effects of the plant parasitic nematode (Heterodera trifolii) on clover roots and soil microbial communities. Biology & Fertility of Soils.  43:541-548.

Treonis AM & Wall DH.  2005. Soil nematodes and desiccation survival in the extreme arid environment of the Antarctic Dry Valleys. Integrative and Comparative Biology.  45:741-750.

VanHecke MM, Treonis AM & Kaufman JR. 2005. How does the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum affect tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) rhizodeposition and soil microorganisms? Plant and Soil.  275: 99-107.

Treonis AM, Grayston SJ, Murray PJ, L Dawson.  2005. Effects of root feeding, cranefly larvae on soil microorganisms and the composition of rhizosphere solutions collected from grassland plants. Applied Soil Ecology. 28:203-215.

Treonis, A.M., N. J. Ostle, A.W. Stott, R. Primrose, S.J. Grayston, and P. Ineson. 2004 Identification of metabolically-active rhizosphere microorganisms by stable isotope probing of PLFAs. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 36:533-537.