The Gehring Lab conducts research to understand the functioning of fungi in
natural and managed systems. Of particular interest is how abiotic and biotic factors
interact to affect the abundance and community composition of
plant-associated fungi and how changes in these parameters then feedback
to affect the performance of host plants. Current projects explore the influence of host plant genetics on fungal abundance and diversity; the impact of climate change
on interactions among host plants, fungi, and insects; and the
belowground mechanisms by which invasive plants may harm native plants. Interactions among vertebrates, plants, and mycorrhizal fungi in tropical ecosystems are also a research focus.