Nadelhoffer Lab: Pat Micks

Pat Micks is the Project Manager for the UMBS DIRT Experiment. She is also the data manager for the Harvard Forest DIRT Experiment. She coordinates and conducts sampling, data collection, and data analysis.  She spends most of her time at the UMBS DIRT plots, measuring soil respiration (to determine the relative contributions to total soil respiration from aboveground litter decay, belowground litter decay, and live root respiration) and collecting leaf litterfall and woody debris (components of the forest's annual carbon budget).  She also collects and analyzes soil water samples from zero tension lysimeters that catch rainwater and snowmelt percolating through the forest floor, which allows us to track changes in soil organic matter dynamics and microbial processes resulting from the experimental treatments.  In addition to lab work (C and N analysis of soils and vegetation from the plots), Pat maintains the plots, which includes repairing equipment and fencing, weeding, raking, and trail-clearing.  Pat and Jim Le Moine installed and instrumented the DIRT plots in 2004 and work together to collect data and maintain the growing database of results.

Hobbies: International folk dancing, contra dancing, bicycling, and cross country skiing.

Activities: Develop and coordinate programs for local non-profit organizations