Restoring Soil Health and Microbial Communities with Native Plants
Schedule
Mon, 16 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Wood Hall - Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI
Advertisement
MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETYSOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER PROGRAM
Restoring Soil Health and Microbial Communities with Native Plants
Dr. Kathryn Docherty
Professor of Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
Monday February 16, 2026 @ 7:00 PM (Socializing begins at 6:30)
Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
The tallgrass prairie biome was once one of the largest continuous ecosystems on the planet, which was responsible for forming the most fertile and productive soil type (Mollisols) in North America. Today, 99% of that original ecosystem has been disrupted. With that disruption, many soil health benefits such as water infiltration, soil carbon storage, and specialized microbial communities, have also been altered. But, through the efforts of many non-profit groups, farmers, and individual property owners, native prairie plants - and the ecosystem benefits they provide - are making a come-back. In this talk I will discuss several of ongoing projects in my research group at WMU that highlight the work of many dedicated land stewards and community partners. First, we’ll examine how prairie strips, or prairies installed the length of an agricultural field adjacent to crops, can help improve soils while providing pollinator habitat. Next, we’ll think more about the choices that farmers and conservationists face when installing a prairie, and how those choices might affect soils, plants, and microbes in the long term. Finally, we’ll explore an exciting new project in my group that is examining how native plants installed by home owners in the City of Kalamazoo affect soil health compared to traditional lawns.
Dr. Kathryn Docherty is a soil microbial ecologist and a faculty member at Western Michigan University since 2011. Her research interests are in understanding how restoring disturbed land to native grassland installations influences soil microbial communities, plant-soil-microbe interactions, and soil health. Before joining the faculty at WMU she conducted her PhD research at the University of Notre Dame (2001-2007) and then postdoctoral work at the University of Oregon (2007-2010) and the National Ecological Observatory Network (2010-2011).
All indoor programs are at Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Socializing begins at 6:30 pm and the programs begin at 7:00 pm. Non-members are always welcome to join us for programs and fieldtrips.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Wood Hall - Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
