Ruirui Zhao

My research examines how long-term patterns in tree δ¹⁵N from the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI) relate to belowground fungal communities and soil carbon characteristics. I focus on whether the temporal decline in tree δ¹⁵N is associated with shifts in ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) community composition—particularly potential changes in the dominance of Cortinarius and Russula mycorrhizae.

In addition, I assess how soil fungal communities, soil carbon accumulation, and organic matter quality vary along an experimental nitrogen-availability gradient. Together, these complementary approaches help clarify how above- and below-ground indicators covary across boreal forests, without assuming direct causality, and contribute to a deeper understanding of microbial influences on long-term soil carbon dynamics.