Morgan Luce McLeod

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Morgan Luce McLeod
Soil scientist - ecosystem and invasion research
Morgan graduated with a M.S. in Wildlife Biology from University of Montana in 2014 where she studied the effects of invasion on plant productivity and nitrogen availability in grasslands. She has a B.S. in environmental science from Oregon State University. As an undergraduate, Morgan worked in a USGS ecosystem ecology lab and conducted research on nutrient cycling in coastal old growth forests. After college, she managed a soils analytical lab at Northern Arizona University, and conducted research on fuel loads and woody debris decomposition at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico.

Morgan works in the field and lab at MPG and is involved in many projects related to the mechanics of invasion and the efficacy of restoration treatments underground. She runs analytical equipment, monitors ecosystem function and nutrient cycling in the field and experimental plots, and dabbles in method optimization and development. In her spare time Morgan boats, skis, gardens and spends time with her husband and dog.

Morgan Luce McLeod, Lorinda Bullington, Cory C. Cleveland, Johannes Rousk, Ylva Lekberg,  (2021).  Invasive plant-derived dissolved organic matter alters microbial communities and carbon cycling in soils.  Soil Biology and Biochemistry  Vol 156, 108191. ISSN 0038-0717, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108191..
Published Paper

Mandy L. Slate, Morgan Luce McLeod, Ragan M. Callaway  (2021).  Positive interactions between an exotic invader and moss biocrusts vary across life stage and correspond with the effect of water pulses on soil nitrogen.  Functional Ecology  00, 1– 11. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13831.
Published Paper