Hobbie, Sarah

My research focuses on three main areas:

1. the influence of changes in atmospheric composition and climate on ecosystem processes;
2. the effects of urbanization and suburbanization on biogeochemical cycles; and
3. the influence of plant species on biogeochemical processes.

In the area of global change, I aim to understand how atmospheric nitrogen inputs affect decomposition; how variation in biodiversity, atmospheric carbon dioxide, nitrogen inputs, and precipitation influence grassland ecosystems; and how warming alters community and ecosystem processes at the southern boreal-temperate forest ecotone. In the area of urban ecology, I am studying the effects of urban and suburban development on biogeochemical cycling. In particular we are interested in quantifying household fluxes of elements (C, N, and P) that are important in contributing to urban and regional pollution in the Twin Cities, Minnesota region. We are also studying the role of human choices in both creating and solving urban environmental problems. In the area of plant-soil interactions, most of my recent work has focused on a common-garden study of temperate trees in Poland to link plant traits to biogeochemical processes.